Have you ever wondered whether you should say “time has flown by” or “time has flown by”? These two phrases look similar, but only one is grammatically correct in standard English. Understanding the difference will help you avoid common mistakes and improve both your writing and speaking. This guide explains everything in simple, beginner-friendly language.
Comparison Overview
Both “time has flew by” and “time has flown by” are attempts to describe the feeling that time passes very quickly. The confusion comes from the irregular verb fly, whose different forms are often mixed up.
| Phrase | Grammar Status | Correct? | Common Usage |
| Time has flown by | Incorrect grammar | ❌ No | Common learner mistake |
| Time has flown by | Present perfect tense | ✅ Yes | Standard English |
The key difference lies in using the correct past participle after the helping verb has.
Definition of Time Has Flown By
“Time has flew by” is a grammatically incorrect phrase in standard English.
The verb flew is the simple past tense of fly. It should not follow helping verbs such as has, have, or had.
Although native speakers occasionally make this mistake in casual conversation or on social media, it is considered incorrect in formal and informal writing.
Example (Incorrect):
- ❌ Time has flew by since graduation.
Correct Version:
- ✅ Time has flown by since graduation.
Definition of Time Has Flown By
“Time has flown by” is the correct English expression.
Here, flown is the past participle of fly, which is required after has in the present perfect tense.
The phrase means that time has passed very quickly, often without you noticing.
Examples:
- Time has flown by since we first met.
- Wow, the summer has flown by.
- The last decade has flown by so quickly.
Main Differences Between Time Has Flew By and Time Has Flown By
| Feature | Time Has Flew By | Time Has Flown By |
| Grammar | Incorrect | Correct |
| Verb Form | Simple past (flew) | Past participle (flown) |
| Present Perfect | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Suitable for Writing | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Suitable for Speaking | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Standard English | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Key Difference
- Use flew by itself in the simple past.
- Flown is used with has, have, or had.
Why People Confuse These Two Phrases
English irregular verbs are one of the biggest challenges for learners.
The verb forms are:
| Base Form | Simple Past | Past Participle |
| Fly | Flew | Flown |
Many learners mistakenly assume that flew works in every past situation, but English requires flown whenever a helping verb is used.
Common Expressions Using “Time Has Flown By”
These are all correct:
- Time has flown by.
- The years have flown by.
- The weekend has flown by.
- Summer has flown by.
- The afternoon has flown by.
- My childhood has flown by.
Grammar Guide
The verb fly is an irregular verb.
| Verb Form | Example |
| Base | fly |
| Present | fly/flies |
| Simple Past | flew |
| Past Participle | flown |
How Each Term Is Used in Sentences
Time Has Flew By
Incorrect:
- ❌ Time has flew by.
- ❌ My vacation has flown by.
Correct replacements:
- ✅ Time has flown by.
- ✅ My vacation has flown by.
Time Has Flown By
Correct:
- Time has flown by since our wedding.
- The semester has flown by.
- Five years have flown by.
- The evening has flown by.
- Life has flown by faster than expected.
Common Mistakes Learners Make
Using flew after has.
Incorrect:
- ❌ Has flew
- ❌ Have flew
- ❌ Had flew
Correct:
- ✅ Has flown
- ✅ Have flown
- ✅ Had flown
Another common mistake is confusing simple past with present perfect.
Correct:
- Yesterday, time flew.
- Time has flown since then.
Simple Rules to Remember
- Flew = simple past.
- Flown = past participle.
- After has, have, or had, always use flown.
- Never write has flew.
Easy memory trick:
Has + Flown = Correct
Has + Flew = Incorrect
Quick Tips for Writing and Speaking
- Check whether the sentence contains has, have, or had.
- If yes, choose flown.
- Remember the pattern:
- Fly → Flew → Flown
- Proofread for irregular verb mistakes.
- Listen to native speakers—they almost always say “time has flown by.”
When to Use Each One
Use “Time Has Flown By”
Use it when talking about a period that has passed quickly.
Examples:
- Since graduation.
- During vacation.
- Since childhood.
- Throughout the school year.
- Since starting a new job.
Use “Time Has Flew By”
Never use it in standard English writing or speech because it is grammatically incorrect.
When NOT to Use Each One
Do NOT Use “Time Has Flew By”
Avoid it:
- In essays.
- In business emails.
- In academic writing.
- In presentations.
- In professional communication.
Do NOT Use “Time Has Flown By”
Don’t use it when writing in the simple past.
Incorrect:
- ❌ Yesterday time has flown by.
Correct:
- ✅ Yesterday time flew by.
- ✅ Time has flown by this year.
Which One to Use (Decision Guide)
| Situation | Best Choice |
| Present perfect tense | ✅ Time has flown by |
| Academic writing | ✅ Time has flown by |
| Professional emails | ✅ Time has flown by |
| Everyday conversation | ✅ Time has flown by |
| Simple past without “has” | ✅ Time flew by |
| “Time has flew by” | ❌ Never |
Decision Rule:
- Does your sentence include has, have, or had?
- Yes → Flown
- No → Maybe Flew, depending on the tense.
Real-World Practical Examples
Time Has Flew By Examples
These are intentionally incorrect examples to illustrate the common mistake.
- ❌ Time has flew by since college.
- ❌ The meeting has flew by quickly.
- ❌ Summer has flew by already.
- ❌ Technology has flown by so fast.
- ❌ My childhood has flew by.
Correct each by replacing flew with flown.
Time Has Flown By Examples
- School: Time has flown by during this semester.
- Daily life: The weekend has flown by.
- Business: Our first year in business has flown by.
- Technology: The evolution of AI has flown by remarkably fast.
- Conversation: Wow, time has flown by since we last met!
Self-Assessment (Fill in the Blanks)
- I will use ______ when referring to time passing quickly in the present perfect tense. The correct word is ______ because it follows has.
- I will use ______ after have. The correct word is ______ because it is the past participle.
- I will use ______ after has. The correct word is ______ because irregular verbs require the past participle.
- I will use ______ in “Time has ______ by.”
- I will use ______ in formal writing after had.
- I will use ______ when writing an essay.
- I will use ______ when speaking about the past with has.
- I will use ______ in business communication.
- I will use ______ in academic English.
- I will use ______ after helping verbs.
- Yesterday, time ______ by.
- Last night, the evening ______ by.
- Time has ______ since graduation.
- The years have ______ by.
- My vacation has ______ by.
- The semester has ______ by.
- Life has ______ by quickly.
- The afternoon has ______ by.
- Time had ______ by before we noticed.
- Never write “has ______.”
Answers
- flown, flown
- flown, flown
- flown, flown
- flown
- flown
- flown
- flown
- flown
- flown
- flown
- flew
- flew
- flown
- flown
- flown
- flown
- flown
- flown
- flown
- flew
Final Verdict
“Time has flown by” is the only grammatically correct phrase in standard English because flown is the past participle required after has, have, and had. In contrast, “time has flew by” is a common mistake caused by confusing the simple past form (flew) with the past participle (flown). A simple rule to remember is: Fly → Flew → Flown. Use flew only for the simple past (for example, Time flew by yesterday), and use flown whenever a helping verb is present (for example, Time has flown by). Following this rule will make your English sound natural, accurate, and grammatically correct in both writing and conversation.
Conclusion:
Understanding the difference between Time Has Flew By and Time Has Flown By is essential for using English accurately and confidently. While both phrases may sound similar, only “time has flown by” is grammatically correct because flown is the past participle of the irregular verb fly, making it the proper choice after has. On the other hand, “time has flew by” is a common mistake that results from confusing the simple past tense with the past participle.
By remembering the verb pattern fly – flew – flown, you can easily avoid this error in everyday conversations, academic writing, business communication, and professional emails. Whether you’re learning English or simply polishing your grammar skills, choosing the correct phrase helps your writing sound more natural and fluent. Keep practicing with real-life examples, and before long, using “time has flown by” will become second nature whenever you want to express how quickly time passes.
FAQs
Is “time has flew by” grammatically correct?
No, “time has flew by” is not grammatically correct. The verb flew is the simple past tense of fly, while the present perfect tense requires the past participle flown. Therefore, the correct expression is “time has flown by.”
Why is “time has flown by” correct?
The phrase is correct because flown is the past participle of the irregular verb fly. In English, the helping verb has must always be followed by a past participle, making “time has flown by” the proper grammatical choice.
What does “time has flown by” mean?
“Time has flown by” means that a period of time has passed very quickly, often faster than expected. It is commonly used to express surprise at how quickly days, months, or years have gone.
What is the difference between flew and flown?
Flew is the simple past tense of fly, while flown is the past participle. Use flew without helping verbs for past actions, and use flown after has, have, or had in perfect tenses.
Can I say “time flew by” instead?
Yes. “Time flew by” is completely correct when you’re using the simple past tense. For example, the weekend flew by. However, if you use has, you should say “time has flown by.”
Why do English learners confuse these phrases?
Many learners confuse them because fly is an irregular verb. Unlike regular verbs, it doesn’t simply add -ed. Remembering the pattern fly – flew – flown helps prevent mistakes and improves overall grammar accuracy.
Is “time has flown by” suitable for formal writing?
Yes. “Time has flown by” is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. You can confidently use it in essays, reports, emails, articles, speeches, and everyday conversations whenever you want to describe time passing quickly.
How can I remember the correct phrase?
A simple trick is to remember that has, have, and had always require a past participle. Since the past participle of fly is flown, the correct phrase is always “time has flown by.”
Are there other expressions similar to “time has flown by”?
Yes. Similar expressions include time passed quickly, the years slipped away, before I knew it, the days rushed by, and the months went by in a flash. They all describe the feeling that time moved very fast.
Which phrase should I use in everyday conversation?
Always choose “time has flown by” when speaking in the present perfect tense. It is the standard English expression used by native speakers and is understood in both casual conversations and professional settings.
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Time Has Flew By Or Time Has Flown By explained with clear grammar guidance, correct verb usage, and easy examples for confident writing.