Time flies, doesn’t it? One moment you’re celebrating New Year’s, and before you know it, summer’s already gone.
But wait—should you say “time has flew by” or “time has flown by”?
If that question made you pause, you’re not alone. Many English speakers (even fluent ones) stumble on this small but tricky grammatical detail.
The difference between flew and flown lies deep in how English verbs behave—and understanding it will instantly make your writing and speech sound more natural.
Let’s dive into the complete explanation with examples, grammar tables, and easy memory tricks to help you remember it for life.
Understanding Why “Time Has Flew By” Causes Confusion
English is famous for its irregular verbs—those that don’t simply add “-ed” to form the past tense. Words like go, write, swim, and fly often trip people up because their past and past participle forms differ.
The confusion arises because both flew and flown refer to the past in some way, but they’re used in different grammatical structures.
When people say “time has flew by,” they’re mixing up these two forms. It sounds right in casual conversation, but grammatically, it’s incorrect.
Here’s why 👇
The Role of Verb Tenses in English
Tenses describe when an action happens—past, present, or future. But within those, English adds layers: simple, perfect, continuous, and perfect continuous.
The word “has” instantly signals that we’re using the present perfect tense, which connects something that started in the past but still relates to the present.
For example:
- ✅ I have eaten breakfast. (The action is done, but the result still matters.)
- ✅ She has traveled to Italy. (She went in the past, but her experience matters now.)
The formula is simple yet strict:
has/have + past participle
That second part—past participle—is where “flew” vs. “flown” matters most.
Understanding Irregular Verbs: “Fly – Flew – Flown”
Unlike regular verbs (like “walk – walked – walked”), irregular verbs change unpredictably.
Here’s a quick comparison table to show how “fly” behaves among other irregular verbs:
| Base Form | Past Simple | Past Participle | Correct Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fly | Flew | Flown | Time has flown by. |
| Go | Went | Gone | She has gone home. |
| Write | Wrote | Written | He has written a book. |
| Speak | Spoke | Spoken | They have spoken already. |
| Break | Broke | Broken | The glass has broken. |
Notice the pattern?
Whenever you use has or have, you must pair it with the past participle form—not the simple past.
So, while “time flew by” works as simple past, only “time has flown by” fits the present perfect tense.
What Is the Present Perfect Tense?
The present perfect tense bridges the past and present. It’s used for actions that began in the past but still influence the present moment.
Structure:
Subject + has/have + past participle
Examples:
- ✅ He has finished his homework.
- ✅ They have arrived at the airport.
- ✅ Time has flown by this year.
This tense works beautifully for expressions about the passage of time because time continuously moves.
In contrast, the simple past tense refers to something that’s completely finished and disconnected from now:
- ✅ Time flew by last summer. (It’s over and done.)
Breaking Down “Time Has Flown By”
Let’s analyze every word in this phrase to see why it’s grammatically correct:
| Word | Role | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Subject | The noun performing the action. |
| Has | Auxiliary verb | Indicates present perfect tense. |
| Flown | Past participle of fly | Correct verb form to follow “has.” |
| By | Preposition | Indicates movement or passage. |
Together, they form a smooth, idiomatic expression meaning “time passed quickly.”
Examples:
- Wow, time has flown by since our last meeting!
- The year has flown by so fast—it feels like January was yesterday.
Why “Time Has Flew By” Is Incorrect
“Flew” is the simple past tense of fly, not the past participle. Since “has” requires a past participle, pairing it with “flew” breaks the rule.
Wrong:
- ❌ Time has flew by.
Right:
- ✅ Time has flown by.
However, “Time flew by” is still correct—when used without has.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Sentence | Tense | Correct/Incorrect | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time flew by. | Simple past | ✅ Correct | Describes a completed event in the past. |
| Time has flown by. | Present perfect | ✅ Correct | Connects past and present. |
| Time has flew by. | — | ❌ Incorrect | Wrong verb form after “has.” |
Case Study: Real-Life Usage of “Has Flown” vs. “Has Flew”
To see how this rule applies in real language, let’s look at examples from everyday English and published writing.
Example 1: In Conversation
“I can’t believe it’s already November—time has flown by this year.”
✅ Correct and natural.
“I can’t believe it’s already November—time has flew by this year.”
❌ Sounds wrong to native speakers immediately.
Example 2: In Literature
“Time has flown by as swiftly as a falcon’s shadow.” — Anonymous
Writers and speakers alike use flown in such poetic or reflective expressions because it carries a smooth rhythm and correctness.
When to Use “Time Flew By” vs. “Time Has Flown By”
Both are correct, but they serve slightly different purposes:
| Expression | Tense | When to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time flew by | Simple past | When referring to a specific finished period. | Time flew by during our vacation. |
| Time has flown by | Present perfect | When referring to an ongoing or current period. | Time has flown by since I started this job. |
Think of it like this:
- Use “flew” when you’re reminiscing about something completely done.
- Use “has flown” when the period is still relevant or feels current.
Idiomatic Meaning: “Time Has Flown By”
The phrase isn’t literal. Time doesn’t actually have wings (though it feels like it does!). It’s an idiomatic expression meaning “time passed very quickly.”
Common Situations:
- Birthdays: “Wow, you’re 18 already? Time has flown by!”
- Anniversaries: “Ten years together—how time has flown by!”
- Work: “This project deadline came fast. Time has really flown by.”
Related Idioms:
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Where did the time go? | Expresses surprise that time passed quickly. |
| Before you know it. | Something happened sooner than expected. |
| In the blink of an eye. | Extremely fast passage of time. |
| Time waits for no one. | You can’t stop time from moving forward. |
Grammar Recap: Quick Rules to Remember
Here’s your cheat sheet to avoid similar errors:
✅ Use “has/have + past participle”
- Correct: She has gone, He has eaten, Time has flown by.
❌ Never use “has/have + simple past”
- Incorrect: She has went, He has ate, Time has flew by.
✅ Use simple past alone for completed actions
- She went home.
- Time flew by quickly yesterday.
Mini Grammar Checklist
- “Has” or “Have” = look for a past participle.
- “Flew” = only for simple past, no “has/have.”
- “Flown” = the only correct partner for “has/have.”
Common Mistakes with Similar Verbs
English has several irregular verbs that follow this same confusing pattern.
| Verb | Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Go | has went | has gone |
| Write | has wrote | has written |
| Speak | has spoke | has spoken |
| Break | has broke | has broken |
| Fly | has flew | has flown |
A simple trick: if a verb sounds awkward when paired with “has” or “have,” it’s probably wrong.
Examples in Different Contexts
1. Everyday Conversations
- This semester has flown by so fast.
- It feels like the holidays have flown by in a blink.
2. Professional Settings
- The fiscal year has flown by, and it’s time for reviews.
- Our startup’s first six months have truly flown by.
3. Emotional or Reflective Tone
- Time has flown by since you left.
- I can’t believe how fast the kids have grown—time has really flown by.
Quick Quiz: Test Your Knowledge
Try to fill in the blanks below 👇
- She has ___ to Paris twice.
- The bird ___ away when I opened the door.
- Time has ___ by since our last class.
- He ___ across the country last summer.
Answers:
- flown ✅
- flew ✅
- flown ✅
- flew ✅
Tips to Remember “Flown” vs. “Flew”
- Link “has/have” → “flown.”
Always think “flown” flies with “has.” - “Flew” stands alone.
If there’s no helper word like “has” or “have,” use “flew.” - Practice with rhymes: “When I have, I use flown.”
“When I had, it’s flown.”
“If I just did, it’s flew.”
Quotes About the Passage of Time
“Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind.” — Nathaniel Hawthorne
“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” — Andy Warhol
“How did it get so late so soon?” — Dr. Seuss
These quotes remind us why expressions like “time has flown by” resonate so strongly—they capture life’s fleeting moments beautifully.
FAQs: “Time Has Flew By” vs. “Time Has Flown By”
1. Is “Time Has Flew By” grammatically correct?
No. “Flew” is the past tense, not the past participle. The correct form is “Time has flown by.”
2. Can I say “Time flew by” instead?
Yes. “Time flew by” is grammatically correct in the simple past tense and is commonly used.
3. What does “Time has flown by” mean?
It means time passed very quickly—often without realizing it.
4. Why do people confuse “flew” and “flown”?
Because both indicate past action, but only “flown” works with “has” or “have.”
5. How can I remember the difference easily?
Think: If I say “has,” I must say “flown.”
If there’s no “has,” use “flew.”
Conclusion
So, the next time you hear someone say “Time has flew by,” you’ll know exactly what’s wrong. The correct phrase is “Time has flown by.”
Here’s the golden rule to remember:
Present Perfect = has/have + past participle
That’s why “has flown” fits perfectly—and “has flew” does not.
English can be quirky, but once you understand the pattern, you’ll spot similar mistakes instantly. Whether you’re writing an email, chatting casually, or crafting content, using the right form makes you sound confident and fluent.
Because let’s face it—time really has flown by, hasn’t it?
I’m Sameer — a passionate English enthusiast who loves exploring words, grammar, and the art of effective communication. ✍️