Last updated on May 4th, 2025 at 06:45 am
Language learners and even native speakers often stumble over verb forms in English.
One common confusion arises between “Time has flew by” and “Time has flown by.” Which one is correct?
Let’s break it down with a thorough exploration of English tenses and their correct usage.
Wondering if “Time has flew by” or “Time has flown by” is correct? The correct phrase is “Time has flown by,” as “flown” is the past participle of “fly.” Learn why and never make this mistake again!
Understanding the Common Confusion in English Tenses
English has a variety of tenses, each serving a specific function. Many mistakes happen because certain verbs change forms depending on their tense.
The confusion between “flew” and “flown” arises because both are valid forms of the verb fly, but they are used in different grammatical structures.
The Role of Tenses in English Expressions
Tenses provide clarity by indicating when an action occurred. English mainly uses three primary tenses:
- Past Tense: Describes completed actions (e.g., “He flew to Paris last week.”)
- Present Perfect Tense: Describes actions that happened at an unspecified time before now or actions that still have relevance (e.g., “He has flown many times.”)
- Future Tense: Describes actions that will happen (e.g., “He will fly to Paris next week.”)
The phrase “time has flew by” is incorrect because it misuses the past simple form (flew) instead of the past participle (flown), which is required when used with has.
The Present Perfect Tense Explained
The present perfect tense is formed using:
Subject + has/have + past participle
It is used when an action started in the past but still has relevance or impact on the present.
Examples:
- She has visited London before.
- They have completed their project.
- Time has flown by so quickly!
When to Use Past Simple vs. Present Perfect Tense
Many learners struggle to decide whether to use past simple or present perfect. Here’s a quick distinction:
| Tense | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Past Simple | Used for actions completed at a specific time in the past | “She flew to Paris last year.” |
| Present Perfect | Used for actions that happened at an unspecified time before now or continue to impact the present | “She has flown to Paris multiple times.” |
If you’re using has or have, always follow it with a past participle, not a past simple verb.
Time Has Flown By: Breaking Down the Phrase
The correct phrase is “Time has flown by.” Let’s analyze why:
- Time is the subject.
- Has is the auxiliary verb.
- Flown is the past participle of fly.
- By functions as an adverb indicating passage.
Together, they express that time has passed quickly.
Grammatical Rules for Using ‘Has’ with Verbs
When using has or have in a sentence, the main verb must be in its past participle form. Let’s look at some common examples:
| Base Form | Past Simple | Past Participle |
| Go | Went | Gone |
| Eat | Ate | Eaten |
| Fly | Flew | Flown |
| See | Saw | Seen |
| Write | Wrote | Written |
“Has flew” is incorrect because flew is the past simple form. The correct past participle is flown.
Correct Coupling of ‘Has’ with Past Participles
To ensure grammatical correctness, always pair has/have with a past participle. Examples:
- Incorrect: “She has ate her lunch.”
- Correct: “She has eaten her lunch.”
- Incorrect: “He has saw the movie.”
- Correct: “He has seen the movie.”
- Incorrect: “Time has flew by.”
- Correct: “Time has flown by.”
Why ‘Time Has Flew By’ Is Incorrect
Simply put, flew is the wrong verb form. Since has requires a past participle, the correct word is flown.
Think of it this way:
- You wouldn’t say: “She has went to the store.”
- You would say: “She has gone to the store.”
Likewise:
- Incorrect: “Time has flew by.”
- Correct: “Time has flown by.”
The Meaning and Use of ‘Time Has Flown By’
The phrase “Time has flown by” is an idiom used to express that time has passed quickly, often unexpectedly.
Examples:
- “Wow, it’s already December! Time has flown by this year.”
- “I can’t believe it’s been ten years since college. Time has really flown by.”
Conveying the Passage of Time with Idiomatic Expressions
English is full of idiomatic expressions related to the passage of time. Some similar phrases include:
- “Time flies when you’re having fun.”
- “In the blink of an eye.”
- “Before you know it.”
These phrases all emphasize how time can seem to pass quickly.
Examples in Context: How to Use ‘Time Has Flown By’
Here are a few ways you might hear or use this phrase:
- “I can’t believe our vacation is already over. Time has flown by!”
- “She looked at her children and thought, ‘Time has flown by so fast.'”
- “It feels like yesterday when we started this project, but time has really flown by.”
Learning from Common Mistakes: ‘Flew’ vs ‘Flown’
Many English learners mistakenly say “Time has flew by.” To avoid this, remember:
✅ Use ‘has/have’ + past participle (flown) ❌ Do not use past simple after ‘has’ (flew)
Practice Exercise:
Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
- He ___ to New York last summer. (flew/flown)
- She has ___ to Paris three times. (flew/flown)
- Time has ___ by so quickly! (flew/flown)
(Answers: 1. flew, 2. flown, 3. flown)
FAQs
Which is correct: “Time has flew by” or “Time has flown by”?
The correct phrase is “Time has flown by.” Since “has” is used, the verb must be in its past participle form, which is “flown,” not “flew.”
Why is “Time has flew by” incorrect?
“Flew” is the simple past tense of “fly,” but when used with “has,” the past participle “flown” is required.
What does “Time has flown by” mean?
It means that time has passed quickly, often without realizing it. Example: “This year has gone by so fast! Time has flown by.”
What is the difference between “flew” and “flown”?
“Flew” is the simple past (e.g., “He flew to London”), while “flown” is the past participle, used with “has/have/had” (e.g., “He has flown many times”).
Can “Time has flown by” be used in formal writing?
Yes, “Time has flown by” is grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal writing.
What are some similar expressions to “Time has flown by”?
Other phrases include “Time flies when you’re having fun,” “In the blink of an eye,” and “Before you know it.”
Conclusion
The correct phrase is “Time has flown by.” The verb fly follows the pattern of irregular verbs, requiring flown when used with has or have.
Understanding English verb tenses, particularly the present perfect, ensures grammatical accuracy in both spoken and written communication.
Next time you want to express how quickly time has passed, you’ll know exactly how to say it correctly!
