When talking about time passing quickly, many people wonder whether “time has flew by” or “time has flown by” is correct. Both contain forms of the verb fly, but they are used differently in English grammar. Understanding the difference between flew and flown will help you write and speak about passing time naturally and correctly.
Comparison Overview
The correct expression is “time has flown by.”
The confusion comes from the different forms of the irregular verb fly:
- Fly — base form
- Flew — simple past
- Flown — past participle
The phrase “has flown by” uses the present perfect tense, which requires the past participle flown after the helping verb has.
Therefore:
Correct: Time has flown by.
Incorrect: Time has flew by.
The phrase “time has flown by” means that time has passed, often surprisingly or quickly. It is especially common when someone reflects on how quickly a period has ended.
For example:
“I can’t believe the school year has flown by.”
Here, has flown correctly combines has with the past participle flown.
Definition of Time Has Flew By
“Time has flew by” is a common grammatical mistake.
The problem is the word flew. Flew is the simple past form of fly, so it does not normally follow has in a present perfect construction.
For example:
“Time flew by.”
This sentence is correct because flew is being used as the simple past form.
However:
“Time has flew by.”
is incorrect in standard English because has requires the past participle flown.
The incorrect phrase may occur in casual speech or informal writing, particularly among learners who know that flew is the past form of fly. Nevertheless, it should be avoided in polished English.
Definition of Time Has Flown By
“Time has flown by” is the grammatically correct expression.
It uses the present perfect structure:
has + flown
The phrase means that time has passed quickly or seemingly very quickly.
For example:
“Time has flown by since we started this project.”
The speaker is looking back from the present and commenting on the period that has passed.
The expression is often used when someone feels surprised by how quickly a particular period has gone:
“Time has flown by since I started college.”
“Time has flown by during the summer.”
The phrase is natural, common, and appropriate in both everyday and formal English.
Main Differences Between Time Has Flew By and Time Has Flown By
The fundamental difference is grammatical.
| Expression | Verb Form | Correct? | Explanation |
| Time has flew by | Flew = simple past | No | Flew does not normally follow has |
| Time has flown by | Flown = past participle | Yes | Has + flown correctly forms the present perfect |
| Time flew by | Flew = simple past | Yes | Correct simple past construction |
| Time flies by | Flies = simple present | Yes | Correct for a general statement |
| Time is flying by | Flying = present participle | Yes | Correct continuous construction |
The key distinction is flew versus flown.
Flew
Flew is the simple past form:
“Time flew by yesterday.”
Flown
Flown is the past participle:
“Time has flown by.”
Remembering this difference makes the correct expression much easier to identify.
Why Do We Say “Time Has Flown By”?
The expression uses fly metaphorically.
Time does not literally have wings or move through the air. The phrase compares the speed of passing time to something that moves quickly through the sky.
When someone says:
“Time has flown by,”
they usually mean that a period seemed to pass very quickly.
This expression can be used for:
- A school year
- A vacation
- A birthday
- A project
- A relationship
- A season
- A stage of life
- A particular event or experience
It is a natural way to express surprise about how quickly time seems to pass.
Flew vs Flown: Understanding the Verb Forms
The verb fly is irregular, so its forms do not follow the usual pattern of adding -ed.
Its principal forms are:
| Verb Form | Word | Example |
| Base form | Fly | Birds fly south. |
| Simple past | Flew | The bird flew away. |
| Past participle | Flown | The bird has flown away. |
| Present participle | Flying | The bird is flying away. |
This pattern is important because has and have generally require the past participle.
Therefore:
Has + flown
is correct.
But:
Has + flew
is incorrect in standard English.
Grammar Guide
How Each Term Is Used in Sentences
The difference becomes clear when you examine the grammatical structure.
Simple Past: Flew
Use flew when describing a completed action in the past.
Pattern:
Subject + flew + …
Examples:
- “Time flew by during the vacation.”
- “The bird flew across the garden.”
- “The plane flew over the mountains.”
Here, flew is the simple past form.
Present Perfect: Has Flown
Use has flown when connecting a past period or action with the present.
Pattern:
Subject + has + flown + …
Examples:
- “Time has flown by this year.”
- “The bird has flown away.”
- “The plane has flown across the country.”
The helping verb has requires the past participle flown.
Present Simple: Flies
For general statements, use flies with a singular subject such as time.
“Time flies when you are having fun.”
This is a general observation rather than a specific completed event.
Present Continuous: Is Flying
When emphasizing that time seems to be passing quickly right now, use:
“Time is flying by.”
This describes an ongoing situation.
Common Mistakes Learners Make
A frequent mistake is treating flew and flown as interchangeable.
For example:
❌ “Time has flew by.”
The correct version is:
✅ “Time has flown by.”
Another common mistake is assuming that every past form can follow has or have. That is not how English verb forms work.
Compare:
“She flew home.”
with:
“She has flown home.”
The first uses simple past, while the second uses present perfect.
Simple Rules to Remember
A useful rule is:
Flew = simple past.
Flown = past participle.
Therefore:
- Yesterday: Time flew by.
- Since then: Time has flown by.
- Right now: Time is flying by.
- Generally: Time flies by.
Another easy memory trick is to remember the complete pattern:
Fly → Flew → Flown
If you see has, have, or had, you will generally need flown rather than flew.
Quick Tips for Writing and Speaking
When you see has before the blank, pause and check the verb form.
If the sentence is:
“Time has ______ by.”
choose:
flown
If the sentence is:
“Time ______ by last summer.”
choose:
flew
Also remember that flown is not only used for literal flying. It can be used metaphorically with time:
“The months have flown by.”
This is perfectly natural English.
When to Use Each One
When to Use “Time Has Flown By”
Use “time has flown by” when reflecting on time that has passed quickly, especially when the period began in the past and connects to the present.
Examples:
“Time has flown by since we moved here.”
“The semester has flown by.”
“Time has flown by during our vacation.”
This construction is particularly natural when talking about an experience that has recently ended or is still connected to the present.
When to Use “Time Flew By”
Use “time flew by” when talking about a completed period in the past.
Examples:
“Time flew by during our trip last year.”
“The afternoon flew by.”
“The weekend flew by.”
Here, there is no has, so the simple past flew is appropriate.
When NOT to Use Each One
When Not to Use “Time Has Flew By”
Do not use “time has flew by” in standard English.
The issue is the combination of has + flew.
Instead, write:
“Time has flown by.”
The same rule applies to other subjects:
❌ “The bird has flew away.”
✅ “The bird has flown away.”
When Not to Use “Time Has Flown By”
Although “time has flown by” is grammatically correct, it should not be used when the sentence specifically requires simple past.
For example:
❌ “Last year, time has flown by.”
A better construction is:
✅ “Last year, time flew by.”
When a clearly finished past time is being discussed, flew is usually the appropriate form.
Has Flown By vs Flew By
The distinction becomes especially clear when comparing these two sentences:
“Time flew by during the holiday.”
This refers to a completed past experience.
“Time has flown by since the holiday began.”
This connects the past with the present.
Both are grammatically correct, but they use different tenses.
The choice is therefore not simply about which phrase “sounds better.” It depends on the grammatical structure and the time being discussed.
Other Correct Expressions About Time Passing
English offers several natural expressions for describing quickly passing time.
Time Flies
“Time flies when you’re busy.”
This is a general statement.
Time Is Flying By
“Time is flying by this week.”
This emphasizes an ongoing experience.
Time Flew By
“Time flew by during the concert.”
This describes a completed past experience.
Time Has Flown By
“Time has flown by since the beginning of the year.”
This uses the present perfect.
Time Had Flown By
“By the time we noticed, the afternoon had flown by.”
This uses the past perfect to place one past event before another.
Which One to Use: Decision Guide
Use this simple guide to choose the correct form:
Does the sentence contain “has,” “have,” or “had”?
→ Use flown.
“Time has flown by.”
Are you describing a completed event in the past?
→ Use flew.
“Time flew by during the trip.”
Are you making a general statement?
→ Use flies.
“Time flies when you’re busy.”
Are you describing something happening now?
→ Use flying.
“Time is flying by.”
Quick Decision Table
| Meaning | Correct Form | Example |
| General truth | Flies | Time flies. |
| Completed past | Flew | Time flew by. |
| Present perfect | Has flown | Time has flown by. |
| Past perfect | Had flown | Time had flown by. |
| Ongoing action | Is flying | Time is flying by. |
The most important rule for this comparison is:
Has + flown, not has + flew.
Real-World Practical Examples
Time Has Flew By Examples
Because “time has flew by” is grammatically incorrect, these examples show the phrase in its incorrect form and the corrected version.
Education:
❌ “Time has flew by since the school year started.”
✅ “Time has flown by since the school year started.”
Daily life:
❌ “I can’t believe time has flew by so quickly.”
✅ “I can’t believe time has flown by so quickly.”
Business:
❌ “Time has flew by since we launched the project.”
✅ “Time has flown by since we launched the project.”
Technology:
❌ “Time has flew by since I bought this computer.”
✅ “Time has flown by since I bought this computer.”
Writing:
❌ “Time has flew by as the story developed.”
✅ “Time has flown by as the story developed.”
Conversation:
❌ “Wow, time has flew by!”
✅ “Wow, time has flown by!”
Time Has Flown By Examples
Education:
“Time has flown by since the semester began.”
Daily life:
“I can’t believe how quickly time has flown by.”
Science:
“Time has flown by while the researchers have been observing the experiment.”
Business:
“Time has flown by since the company opened its new office.”
Technology:
“Time has flown by since I started using this software.”
Writing:
“The author reflects on how time has flown by since the beginning of the story.”
Conversation:
“Time has flown by while we have been talking.”
Travel:
“Our vacation has been wonderful, and time has flown by.”
Self-Assessment: Fill in the Blanks
Complete each sentence with the correct form: flew, flown, flies, or flying.
- Time has ______ by since the school year began.
- Time ______ by during our vacation last summer.
- Time ______ when you are enjoying yourself.
- Time is ______ by while we work on the project.
- The semester has ______ by surprisingly quickly.
- The afternoon ______ by while we were talking.
- Time has ______ by since the new technology was introduced.
- I can’t believe how quickly the weekend ______ by.
- Time ______ by when everyone is having fun.
- The months have ______ by since we moved here.
- Time is ______ by as the deadline gets closer.
- Last year, the holiday ______ by much too quickly.
- The school term has ______ by faster than expected.
- Time ______ by when you are busy with interesting activities.
- The evening ______ by while we watched the movie.
- Time has ______ by since the project started.
- The days are ______ by as the summer continues.
- The years have ______ by since we first met.
- During our trip, time ______ by.
- Remember: after “has,” the correct form is ______.
Answers
- flown — “Has” requires the past participle.
- flew — This sentence describes a completed past experience.
- flies — This is a general statement about time.
- flying — “Is flying” describes an ongoing action.
- flown — “Has” is followed by the past participle.
- flew — The sentence refers to a completed past period.
- flown — “Has flown” is the present perfect form.
- flew — The completed weekend is treated as a past event.
- flies — This expresses a general observation.
- flown — “Have flown” requires the past participle.
- flying — “Is flying” describes an ongoing situation.
- flew — “Last year” indicates a completed past period.
- flown — “Has flown” is grammatically correct.
- flies — This is a general statement.
- flew — The sentence describes a completed past evening.
- flown — “Has flown” uses the present perfect.
- flying — “Are flying” describes an ongoing process.
- flown — “Have flown” requires the past participle.
- flew — The trip is presented as a completed past experience.
- flown — The correct pattern is has + flown.
Conclusion:
When deciding between “Time Has Flew By” and “Time Has Flown By,” the correct expression is “Time Has Flown By.” The reason is simple: after “has,” English grammar requires the past participle of the verb. The verb fly changes to flew in the simple past, but its past participle is flown. Therefore, “time has flown by” is grammatically correct and natural.
This phrase is commonly used when you want to express that time seems to have passed very quickly. Whether you are talking about school, childhood, a holiday, or an important period of life, “time has flown by” fits naturally into everyday and formal writing. Remembering the difference between flew and flown can help you avoid a common grammar mistake and make your sentences sound polished and fluent.
FAQs
Is “Time Has Flew By” grammatically correct?
No, “Time Has Flew By” is not grammatically correct in standard English. The word flew is the simple past form of fly, while flown is the past participle. Because the sentence uses has, it needs the past participle. The correct expression is “Time Has Flown By.”
Is “Time Has Flown By” correct?
Yes, “Time Has Flown By” is grammatically correct. It uses flown, the past participle of fly, after the auxiliary verb has. The expression means that time has passed very quickly. It is widely used in everyday conversation, personal writing, speeches, and other situations where someone reflects on how quickly time seems to pass.
What is the difference between “flew” and “flown”?
Flew is the simple past form of fly, as in “The bird flew away.” Flown is the past participle, which is generally used with auxiliary verbs such as has, have, or had. For example, “Time has flown by” is correct, while “Time has flew by” is incorrect in standard English.
Why do people say “Time Has Flew By”?
People may say “Time Has Flew By” because flew sounds familiar and is the simple past form of fly. However, standard English grammar requires flown after has. The mistake is common because flew and flown are both forms of the same irregular verb. Correct usage is “Time Has Flown By.”
Can I say “Time Flew By”?
Yes, “Time Flew By” is completely correct. Here, flew is appropriate because the sentence is in the simple past tense and does not use has or have. For example, “Time flew by during the summer.” The key distinction is that “time flew by” and “time has flown by” use different grammatical structures.
Can I say “Time Has Flown By So Quickly”?
Yes, “Time Has Flown By So Quickly” is grammatically correct and natural. It emphasizes that time seems to have passed unusually fast. You can use this expression when reflecting on a memorable period, such as a vacation, school year, or childhood. It works well in both casual conversation and thoughtful writing.
Which is correct: “Time Has Flew By” or “Time Has Flown By”?
The correct choice is “Time Has Flown By.” The verb fly has the forms flew and flown, but they are used differently. Flew is used for the simple past, while flown follows auxiliary verbs such as has. Therefore, “Time has flown by” follows standard English grammar.
What does “Time Has Flown By” mean?
“Time Has Flown By” means that time has passed very quickly, often faster than expected. The phrase can express surprise, nostalgia, or reflection. For example, someone might say it after realizing that a holiday, school year, or important stage of life has ended sooner than they expected.
Is “Time Has Flown By” formal or informal?
“Time Has Flown By” is a natural expression that can be used in both informal and moderately formal contexts. It commonly appears in conversations, personal messages, articles, speeches, and reflective writing. Although it has a conversational feel, there is nothing grammatically incorrect or overly casual about using it in polished writing.
How can I remember whether to use “flew” or “flown”?
A useful way to remember the difference is to check whether an auxiliary verb is present. Use flew for the simple past, such as “Time flew by.” Use flown after has, have, or had, such as “Time has flown by.” This simple pattern makes the distinction easier to remember.
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