“Time has flew by” and “time has flown by” sound similar, but only one is grammatically correct in standard English. The confusion happens because flew and flown are different forms of the irregular verb fly.
Understanding when to use each form will help you speak and write more naturally and accurately.
Comparison Overview
The expressions “time has flew by” and “time has flown by” both attempt to describe how quickly time seems to pass. However, they do not have the same grammatical status. In Time Has Flew By Or Time Has Flown By, the key issue is the verb form used after has.
The correct expression is:
Time has flown by.
The incorrect expression is:
Time has flew by.
The difference comes from the verb fly and its three principal forms:
| Verb Form | Word | Example |
| Base form | fly | Time can fly by. |
| Past simple | flew | Time flew by. |
| Past participle | flown | Time has flown by. |
The important rule is that has must be followed by the past participle when forming the present perfect tense. Since flown is the past participle of fly, “time has flown by” is grammatically correct.
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, not its past participle.
For example:
- Yesterday, time flew by.
- Last summer, the weeks flew by.
- The vacation flew by.
These sentences use flew because they describe completed events in the simple past.
However, when has or have is used, English requires the past participle:
- Time has flown by.
- The weeks have flown by.
- The vacation has flown by.
Therefore, avoid “time has flew by” in standard written and formal English. If you are checking Time Has Flew By Or Time Has Flown By for a school or work sentence, choose the form with flown.
Definition of “Time Has Flown By”
“Time has flown by” is the correct grammatical expression.
Here, has is the auxiliary verb, and flown is the past participle of fly. Together, they form the present perfect tense.
The expression means that time has passed very quickly, often giving the speaker a feeling of surprise.
For example:
Time has flown by since we started this project.
This means that a significant amount of time has passed, and it seems to have happened quickly.
Other examples include:
- Time has flown by since graduation.
- The summer has flown by.
- The past few months have flown by.
- Time has really flown by this year.
“Time has flown by” is appropriate in everyday conversation, personal writing, professional communication, and many other contexts.
Main Differences Between “Time Has Flew By” and “Time Has Flown By”
The biggest difference between ” Time Has Flew By ” and “ Time Has Flown By is grammatical form.
| Feature | Time Has Flew By | Time Has Flown By |
| Grammatical status | Incorrect in standard English | Correct |
| Verb | Flew | Flown |
| Form of “fly” | Simple past | Past participle |
| Used after “has” | No | Yes |
| Meaning | Intended to mean time passed quickly | Time passed quickly |
| Formal writing | Avoid | Recommended |
| Everyday standard English | Avoid | Correct |
Flew Is the Simple Past Form
Flew is used when describing something that happened in the past.
Examples:
- Time flew by during our vacation.
- The afternoon flew by.
- The school year flew by.
- The meeting flew by.
Flown Is the Past Participle
Flown is used with auxiliary verbs such as has, have, and had.
Examples:
- Time has flown by.
- The years have flown by.
- The semester had flown by before we realized it.
The Meaning Is Nearly the Same
Both “time flew by” and “time has flown by” communicate the idea that time passed quickly.
The difference is primarily grammatical and relates to the tense.
Compare:
Time flew by during my vacation.
This describes a completed past period.
Time has flown by since I started college.
This connects the past with the present and uses the present perfect tense.
Why Does Time “Fly”?
The expression “time flies” is an idiomatic way of saying that time seems to pass quickly.
Time obviously does not literally have wings or move through the air. The expression is figurative.
Common expressions include:
- Time flies.
- Time flies by.
- Time flew by.
- Time has flown by.
- How time flies!
The image of something flying suggests speed. Therefore, saying that time “flies” emphasizes how quickly a period seems to pass.
Grammar Guide
Understanding the forms of fly makes this comparison much easier.
The verb fly is irregular:
fly → flew → flown
These forms cannot always be substituted for one another.
Fly
Fly is the base form.
Examples:
- Birds fly across the sky.
- Time can fly by.
- I love to fly.
- They fly to different countries for work.
Flew
Flew is the simple past form.
Examples:
- The bird flew away.
- We flew to London last year.
- Time flew by during the holiday.
- The hours flew by.
Flown
Flown is the past participle.
It usually appears with an auxiliary verb such as has, have, or had.
Examples:
- The bird has flown away.
- We have flown several times.
- Time has flown by.
- The years had flown by before they noticed.
How Each Term Is Used in Sentences
The easiest way to remember the difference is to look at the helping verb.
Simple past:
Subject + flew + by
Example:
Time flew by during the weekend.
Present perfect:
Subject + has/have + flown + by
Examples:
Time has flown by.
The months have flown by.
Past perfect:
Subject + had + flown + by
Example:
The years had flown by before we realized it.
The presence of has, have, or had is a strong signal that you need flown, not flew.
Common Mistakes Learners Make
One of the most common mistakes is assuming that because flew is the past form of fly, it can be used after has.
For example:
Incorrect:
Time has flew by.
Correct:
Time has flown by.
Another common mistake is using flown without an auxiliary verb when simple past is required.
Incorrect:
Time flown by yesterday.
Correct:
Time flew by yesterday.
Learners may also confuse flew and flown because many regular verbs use the same form for their past and past participle. For example, walk → walked → walked. But fly is irregular, so its forms are different.
Simple Rules to Remember
Use this simple three-word pattern:
Fly → Flew → Flown
Remember:
- Fly = base form
- Flew = simple past
- Flown = past participle
A particularly useful rule is:
Has/have/had + flown
Examples:
- has flown
- have flown
- had flown
And:
Simple past = flew
Example:
- Time flew by.
Therefore:
Time has flown by. correct
Time has flew by. wrong
Quick Tips for Writing and Speaking
When you see has, immediately check the verb that follows it.
If the verb is fly, use flown:
has flown
If you are talking about a completed past event without has, have, or had, use flew:
Time flew by.
For natural everyday English, you can also use:
- Time has really flown by.
- I can’t believe how quickly time has flown by.
- The years have flown by.
- Where has the time gone?
These expressions sound natural and conversational.
When to Use Each One
When to Use “Time Flew By”
Use “time flew by” when you are describing a completed past period using the simple past tense.
Examples:
Time flew by during our vacation.
The afternoon flew by while we were talking.
The school year flew by.
This construction is especially useful when the time period is clearly finished.
When to Use “Time Has Flown By”
Use “time has flown by” when you are using the present perfect tense.
It is especially appropriate when a period began in the past, and its effect or relevance continues into the present.
Examples:
Time has flown by since we met.
Time has flown by since I started this job.
The last few months have flown by.
This form is also very common when expressing surprise about how quickly time has passed.
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 combination has + flew is grammatically incorrect because flew is the simple past form.
Replace it with:
Time has flown by.
When Not to Use “Time Flew By”
“Time flew by” is grammatically correct, but it should not be used when the sentence requires the present perfect.
For example:
Time has flown by since January.
Not:
Time flew by since January.
If the sentence uses has or have, use flown.
Which One to Use: Decision Guide
Choosing between the two expressions in Time Has Flew By Or Time Has Flown By is simple.
Choose “Time Flew By” When:
- You are talking about a completed past event.
- You are using the simple past tense.
- There is no auxiliary verb such as has or have.
- The time period is clearly located in the past.
Example:
Time flew by during my childhood vacation.
Choose “Time Has Flown By” When:
- You use has before the verb.
- You are using the present perfect tense.
- The past period is connected to the present.
- You want to emphasize that time has passed quickly up to now.
Example:
Time has flown by since I joined the company.
Never Choose “Time Has Flew By” in Standard English
If you are deciding between the exact phrases “time has flew by” and “time has flown by,” always choose:
Time has flown by.
Real-World Practical Examples
“Time Has Flew By” Examples
Because “time has flew by” is incorrect in standard English, these examples show the incorrect form alongside the correct version.
- Daily life
Incorrect:
Time has flown by since my birthday.
Correct:
Time has flown by since my birthday.
- Education
Incorrect:
Time has flown by since I started university.
Correct:
Time has flown by since I started university.
- Business
Incorrect:
Time has flew by since we opened the company.
Correct:
Time has flown by since we opened the company.
- Writing
Incorrect:
I cannot believe how quickly time has flown by.
Correct:
I cannot believe how quickly time has flown by.
- Conversation
Incorrect:
Wow, time has flown by today!
Correct:
Wow, time has flown by today!
The important lesson in Time Has Flew By Or Time Has Flown By is that “time has flew by” should be replaced with “time has flown by.”
“Time Has Flown By” Examples
- Daily life
Time has flown by since we moved into our new home.
This expresses surprise about how quickly the period has passed.
- Education
Time has flown by since my first day at school.
The speaker looks back from the present at the time that has passed.
- Business
Time has flown by since we launched our first product.
This works naturally in a business reflection or anniversary message.
- Writing
As I look back on the past decade, I realize that time has flown by.
This sentence works well in reflective writing.
- Technology
Time has flown by since I bought my first smartphone.
The sentence connects a past event with the speaker’s present reflection.
- Conversation
I can’t believe it. Time has flown by!
This is a natural conversational expression.
- Family
The children have grown so quickly; time has flown by.
This emphasizes how quickly the years have seemed to pass.
- Travel
Time has flown by during our trip.
The speaker is reflecting on the rapid passage of time during the trip.
- Work
Time has flown by since I started working here.
This connects the beginning of employment with the present.
- Personal reflection
Time has flown by, and I still remember my first day here.
This emphasizes the contrast between a past event and the present.
Related Expressions You Can Use
There are several natural alternatives to “time has flown by.”
Time Has Gone By Quickly
Time has gone by so quickly.
This is straightforward and neutral.
Time Has Passed Quickly
Time has passed quickly since we last met.
This is slightly more literal than “time has flown by.”
The Years Have Flown By
The years have flown by since graduation.
This is a very natural expression when referring to multiple years.
How Time Flies!
How time flies!
This is an idiomatic expression often used when someone is surprised by how quickly time passes.
Time Flies By
Time flies by when you’re having fun.
This is a common expression and uses flies, the third-person singular present form of fly.
“Flew” vs. “Flown” in Other Sentences
The same grammar rule applies beyond expressions about time.
Correct Uses of “Flew”
The bird flew over the house.
We flew to another country last summer.
The plane flew through the clouds.
Correct Uses of “Flown”
The bird has flown away.
We have flown to several countries.
The plane had flown for several hours.
The pattern remains consistent:
Flew = simple past
Flown = past participle
Why “Has Flew” Is Incorrect
English verbs often have different forms for different tenses.
With the verb fly, the forms are:
Present: fly/fliess
Past: flew
Past participle: flown
The present perfect tense is formed with:
has/have + past participle
Therefore:
has + flown is correct
But:
has + flew is wrong
This is why the correct sentence is:
Time has flown by.
Self-Assessment: Fill in the Blanks
Complete each sentence with the correct form of fly, flew, or flown, or choose the appropriate expression.
- I cannot believe how quickly time has ______ by.
- Time ______ by during our vacation last year.
- The children have ______ to another city for the competition.
- The airplane ______ over the mountains yesterday.
- The last few months have ______ by surprisingly quickly.
- Which is correct: “Time has ______ by” or “Time has ______ by”?
- Yesterday, the afternoon ______ by while we were talking.
- I have ______ on an airplane many times.
- The years have ______ by since we graduated.
- The bird ______ away before I could take a photograph.
- Complete the sentence: “Time has ______ by since I started this job.”
- Complete the sentence: “Time ______ by during the three-hour meeting.”
- Which form is the past participle of fly: flew or flown?
- Which form should follow has in “Time has ______ by”?
- Complete the sentence: “We ______ to Paris last summer.”
- Complete the sentence: “We have ______ to Paris several times.”
- Which sentence is correct: “Time has flew by” or “Time has flown by”?
- Complete the sentence: “The school year ______ by so quickly last year.”
- Complete the sentence: “The school years have ______ by.”
- Complete the rule: has/have/had + ______ when using the verb fly.
Answers
- flown: “Has” requires the past participle, so the correct expression is “has flown by.”
- flew: The sentence refers to a completed past vacation, so the simple past “flew” is appropriate.
- flown: “Have” is followed by the past participle “flown.”
- flew: “Yesterday” indicates a completed past action, so “flew” is correct.
- flown: “Have flown” is the present perfect construction.
- flown: The correct phrase is “Time has flown by.”
- flew: The completed past event requires the simple past form.
- flown: “Have flown” uses the past participle.
- flown: “Have” requires “flown,” not “flew.”
- flew: The action occurred in the past, so “flew” is the correct simple past form.
- flown: “Has flown” is the correct present perfect structure.
- flew: The meeting is treated as a completed past event.
- flown: “Flown” is the past participle of “fly.”
- flown: The correct construction is “has flown.”
- flew: “Last summer” identifies a completed past period.
- flown: “Have flown” is present perfect.
- Time has flown by: This is the grammatically correct expression.
- flew: “Last year” indicates the simple past.
- flown: “Have flown” is required because “have” is present.
- flown: The rule is has/have/had + flown.
Final Verdict
When choosing between the two expressions, the correct choice is “Time has flown by.” The reason is simple: flew is the simple past form of fly, while flown is the past participle.
Use flew when talking about a completed past event:
Time flew by during the vacation.
Use flown after has, have, or had:
Time has flown by since we met.
The phrase “time has flew by” is a common grammatical mistake and should be avoided in standard English, especially in academic, professional, and formal writing. Once you remember the pattern fly → flew → flown, the distinction becomes much easier. For the exact phrase in this comparison, confidently choose “Time Has Flown By.”
Conclusion
When choosing between the two expressions, the correct expression in standard English is “time has flown by.” The key difference comes from the irregular verb fly, which changes to flew in the simple past and flown as the past participle. Because has must be followed by a past participle, “has flown” is grammatically correct, while “has flew” is not. Use “time flew by” when describing a completed event in the simple past, such as “Time flew by during our vacation.”
Use “time has flown by” when connecting the past with the present. Once you remember the simple pattern fly → flew → flown, the difference becomes easy to understand. Whether you are writing an email, school assignment, article, or everyday message, choosing “time has flown by” will make your English clearer, more natural, and grammatically accurate.
Time Has Flew By Or Time Has Flown By: 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 “has” requires a past participle, the correct expression is “time has flown by.”
Is “time has flown by” correct?
Yes, “time has flown by” is grammatically correct and very natural in English. It uses the present perfect tense, with has as the auxiliary verb and flown as the past participle of fly. The phrase means that time has passed quickly, often expressing surprise about how rapidly a period has gone.
What is the difference between “flew” and “flown”?
Flew is the simple past form of the verb fly, while flown is its past participle. For example, “Time flew by yesterday” uses the simple past. In contrast, “Time has flown by” uses the present perfect. Remember the basic pattern: fly → flew → flown.
Should I say “time flew by” or “time has flown by”?
Both expressions are correct, but they are used in different grammatical situations. Use “time flew by” for a completed past event. Use “time has flown by” when discussing time that has passed from the past up to the present. The surrounding context determines which tense is appropriate.
Why is “time has flew by” wrong?
“Time has flew by” is wrong because flew is not the past participle of fly. After the auxiliary verb has, English grammar requires the past participle. The correct form is flown, giving us “time has flown by.” This same rule applies to other sentences using has, have, or had.
What does “time has flown by” mean?
“Time has flown by” means that time has seemed to pass very quickly. It is often used when someone is surprised by how rapidly a period has ended or progressed. For example, “Time has flown by since graduation” suggests that the years since graduation have passed faster than expected.
Can I use “time has flown by” in formal writing?
Yes, “time has flown by” can be used in formal and informal writing. It is grammatically correct, natural, and widely understood. However, in highly technical or objective writing, a more direct phrase such as “time has passed quickly” may sometimes be preferable depending on the intended tone.
Is “time flew by” also correct?
Yes, “time flew by” is completely correct. It uses flew, the simple past form of fly. For example, “Time flew by during the holiday” describes a completed experience. It differs from “time has flown by,” which uses the present perfect and connects past time with the present.
What is the easiest way to remember “flew” versus “flown”?
Remember the three forms of the irregular verb fly: fly, flew, flown. Use flew for the simple past, as in “Time flew by.” Use flown after has, have, or had, as in “Time has flown by.” This simple pattern helps prevent the common mistake of saying “has flew.”
Which phrase should I use: “time has flew by” or “time has flown by”?
You should use “time has flown by.” It is the grammatically correct expression because flown is the past participle required after has. “Time has flew by” is a common error caused by confusing the simple past form flew with the past participle flown.
