Time Has Flew By Or Time Has Flown By: What Is the Difference & Which Is Correct?

Many English learners confuse “time has flew by” and “time has flown by” because both phrases sound similar. However, only one is grammatically correct in standard English. Understanding the difference helps improve speaking, writing, and overall grammar accuracy in everyday communication, academic work, and professional conversations.

Comparison Overview

“Time has flew by” and “time has flown by” are expressions used to describe how quickly time seems to pass. The confusion comes from the irregular verb “fly,” which changes form depending on tense and grammar structure.

The phrase “time has flown by” is grammatically correct because it uses the past participle “flown” with the helping verb “has.” On the other hand, “time has flew by” is incorrect because “flew” is the simple past tense, not the past participle.

Phrase	Correct or Incorrect	Reason
Time has flew by	Incorrect	Uses the wrong verb form
Time has flown by	Correct	Uses the proper past participle

Definition of Time Has Flew By

“Time has flew by” is an incorrect English phrase. It mistakenly uses “flew,” which is the simple past tense of the verb “fly.”

People often say this phrase in casual speech because irregular verbs can be confusing. However, in proper grammar, “flew” should not be used after “has,” “have,” or “had.”

Incorrect example:

• 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 expression. It means that time passed very quickly.

The phrase uses:

• “has” as a helping verb
• “flown” as the past participle of “fly”

This structure forms the present perfect tense, which connects past actions to the present.

Correct example:

• Wow, time has flown by this year.

Main Differences Between Time Has Flew By and Time Has Flown By

The biggest difference is grammatical correctness.

Feature	Time Has Flew By	Time Has Flown By
Grammar status	Incorrect	Correct
Verb form used	Simple past	Past participle
Tense structure	Wrong present perfect form	Correct present perfect form
Common in casual speech	Yes	Yes
Accepted in formal writing	No	Yes

Another key difference is how the verb “fly” changes:

Verb Form	Example
Base form	fly
Simple past	flew
Past participle	flown

So:

• I flew to London yesterday. ✔
• I have flown to London before. ✔
• I have flew to London before. ✘

Why This Grammar Mistake Happens

English irregular verbs often confuse learners because they do not follow normal “-ed” patterns.

For example:

• go → went → gone
• fly → flew → flown
• write → wrote → written

Many learners incorrectly use the simple past instead of the past participle after helping verbs like:

• has
• have
• had

Grammar Guide

How each term is used in sentences

Time Has Flew By

This phrase is grammatically incorrect and should generally be avoided.

Incorrect patterns:

• Time has flew by so quickly.
• The weekend has flew by.

Time Has Flown By

This is the correct structure for present perfect tense.

Correct patterns:

• Time has flown by since we met.
• The semester has flown by.
• Wow, the years have flown by.

Common mistakes learners make

Here are some frequent grammar errors:

Incorrect	Correct
Time has flew by	Time has flown by
The week has went fast	The week has gone fast
She has wrote a book	She has written a book
They have flew overseas	They have flown overseas

Many learners memorize only one verb form and forget the past participle.

Simple rules to remember

Remember these easy grammar rules:

1. Use “flew” for simple past tense.
2. Use “flown” after has, have, or had.
3. Present perfect always needs a past participle.

Easy formula:

• has/have/had + past participle

Examples:

• has flown ✔
• have flown ✔
• had flown ✔

Quick tips for writing and speaking

• If you see “has,” use “flown,” not “flew.”
• Double-check irregular verbs in formal writing.
• Read sentences aloud to hear what sounds natural.
• Practice verb charts regularly.

When to Use Each One

Use “Time Has Flown By”

Use this phrase when:

• describing fast passing time
• speaking about experiences
• writing formally or informally
• using present perfect tense

Examples:

• Time has flown by during college.
• The last decade has flown by.

Use “Flew” Separately

Use “flew” only as simple past tense.

Examples:

• The bird flew away.
• We flew to Dubai last year.

When NOT to Use Each One

Do Not Use “Time Has Flew By”

Avoid this phrase:

• in essays
• in professional emails
• in academic writing
• in presentations

Incorrect:

• Time has flew by since I started working here.

Do Not Use “Flown” Without a Helping Verb

Incorrect:

• Time flown by quickly.

Correct:

• Time has flown by quickly.

Which One to Use (Decision Guide)

Use this simple guide:

Situation	Correct Choice
Present perfect tense	has flown
Simple past tense	flew
Formal writing	has flown
Casual conversation	has flown
After has/have/had	flown

Quick decision rule:

• If the sentence contains “has,” “have,” or “had,” use “flown.”

Real-World Practical Examples

Time Has Flew By Examples

These examples show incorrect usage that learners commonly make.

1. Time has flew by since high school.
2. The vacation has flew by too quickly.
3. This month has flew by fast.
4. The meeting has flew by.
5. The years have flew by since we moved.

Correct versions:

• Time has flown by since high school.
• The vacation has flown by too quickly.

Time Has Flown By Examples

1. Time has flown by during my university years.
2. The weekend has flown by so quickly.
3. Time has flown by since we launched the business.
4. The school year has flown by.
5. Wow, ten years have flown by already.

Additional contexts:

Education:

• The semester has flown by faster than expected.

Technology:

• Time has flown by while working on this software project.

Business:

• The first quarter has flown by.

Daily conversation:

• I cannot believe how fast time has flown by.

Science:

• Researchers say decades have flown by since the first discovery.

Common Expressions Similar to “Time Has Flown By”

Here are related expressions:

Expression	Meaning
Time flies	Time passes quickly
The years flew by	The years passed quickly
Before you know it	Something happens quickly
In no time	Very quickly

Examples:

• Time flies when you are having fun.
• The summer flew by.

Comparison Table

Aspect	Flew	Flown
Verb type	Simple past	Past participle
Used with has/have/had	No	Yes
Example	The bird flew away	The bird has flown away
Correct in keyword phrase	No	Yes
Formal grammar acceptance	No	Yes

Self-Assessment (Fill in the Blanks)

1. Time has ______ by quickly this year.
2. The bird ______ across the lake yesterday.
3. We have ______ to many countries before.
4. The weekend has ______ by.
5. She ______ home last night.
6. Time has ______ since graduation.
7. They have ______ overseas many times.
8. The plane ______ over the mountains yesterday.
9. The years have ______ by.
10. He ______ to New York last month.
11. Time has ______ too fast lately.
12. The children have ______ on airplanes before.
13. Our vacation has ______ by quickly.
14. The eagle ______ above the river yesterday.
15. Life has ______ by since college.
16. She has ______ internationally for work.
17. The afternoon has ______ by.
18. We ______ to Turkey last summer.
19. Time has ______ since our first meeting.
20. The helicopter has ______ over the city.

Answers

1. flown
2. flew
3. flown
4. flown
5. flew
6. flown
7. flown
8. flew
9. flown
10. flew
11. flown
12. flown
13. flown
14. flew
15. flown
16. flown
17. flown
18. flew
19. flown
20. flown

Final Verdict

Between “time has flown by” and “time has flown by,” the correct phrase is “time has flown by.” The confusion happens because “fly” is an irregular verb with different forms: fly, flew, and flown. Use “flew” for simple past tense and “flown” after helping verbs like “has,” “have,” and “had.” Once you remember this rule, choosing the correct phrase becomes much easier in both writing and speaking.

Conclusion About Time Has Flew By Or Time Has Flown By

Understanding the difference between “time has flew by” and “time has flown by” can greatly improve your English grammar and communication skills. Although both phrases may sound similar in casual conversation, only “time has flown by” is grammatically correct because it uses the proper past participle form of the irregular verb “fly.” Learning these verb patterns helps you write more naturally, speak more confidently, and avoid common grammar mistakes in professional, academic, and everyday situations. English irregular verbs can be challenging at first, but with regular practice and simple grammar rules, they become much easier to remember. Whenever you use helping verbs like “has,” “have,” or “had,” always check that the correct past participle follows. By mastering this small but important grammar point, you will sound more fluent and polished in both writing and conversation.

FAQs

Is “time has flew by” grammatically correct?

No, “time has flew by” is grammatically incorrect. The word “flew” is the simple past tense of “fly,” while present perfect tense requires the past participle “flown.” The correct phrase is “time has flown by.”

Why do people say “time has flew by”?

Many people confuse irregular verb forms in English. Since “flew” sounds familiar and natural in conversation, some speakers accidentally use it instead of “flown,” especially in informal speech or among English learners.

What does “time has flown by” mean?

“Time has flown by” means that time passed very quickly. People commonly use this phrase when talking about years, vacations, school terms, or memorable experiences that seemed short because they were enjoyable or busy.

What is the difference between “flew” and “flown”?

“Flew” is the simple past tense of “fly,” while “flown” is the past participle. You use “flew” without helping verbs and “flown” after words like “has,” “have,” or “had.”

Can I use “flew” after “has”?

No, you should not use “flew” after “has.” Present perfect tense always requires a past participle. Therefore, “has flown” is correct, while “has flew” is incorrect in standard English grammar.

Is “time flies” similar to “time has flown by”?

Yes, both expressions describe time passing quickly. “Time flies” is a general present tense expression, while “time has flown by” refers to time that has already passed quickly up to the present moment.

Is “time has flown by” formal or informal?

“Time has flown by” works in both formal and informal English. You can use it in conversations, essays, emails, speeches, and professional writing without sounding unnatural or grammatically incorrect.

Why is “flown” the correct form?

“Flown” is the past participle of the irregular verb “fly.” In present perfect tense, English grammar requires the structure “has/have + past participle,” making “has flown” the correct construction.

Are irregular verbs difficult in English?

Irregular verbs can be challenging because they do not follow standard “-ed” patterns. However, frequent reading, listening, and practice help learners remember common forms like “fly, flew, flown” more easily.

How can I remember the correct phrase easily?

A simple trick is to remember that helping verbs such as “has,” “have,” and “had” always need a past participle. Since “flown” is the past participle of “fly,” the correct phrase is “time has flown by.”