Flew vs Flied: The Main Differences And When To Use Them

Are you confused about whether to use “flew” or “flied” in a sentence? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with the difference between these two words. In this article, we’ll explore the proper usage of these words and provide you with some helpful tips to remember the difference.

The proper word to use depends on the context of the sentence. “Flew” is the past tense of the verb “fly,” which means to move through the air using wings. On the other hand, “flied” is the past tense of the verb “fly,” which means to hit a ball high into the air in baseball.

It’s important to note that “flew” can also be used in a figurative sense, such as “time flew by” or “my heart flew with joy.” In these cases, “flied” would not be appropriate.

Now that we’ve established the difference between “flew” and “flied,” let’s dive into some examples to help you better understand how to use them correctly.

Define Flew

Flew is the past tense of the verb “fly”. The word fly refers to the action of moving through the air, usually by means of wings, as birds, insects, or airplanes. Flew, therefore, means that the subject moved through the air in the past tense. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as:

• “The bird flew away from the tree.”
• “The airplane flew across the ocean.”
• “The superhero flew through the city.”

It is important to note that the word flew is not interchangeable with flied, as they have different meanings and uses.

Define Flied

Flied is the past tense of the verb “fly” when it is used in the context of baseball. In baseball, flied refers to a ball that is hit into the air by the batter and caught by a fielder before it hits the ground. This is also known as a fly ball. Flied can be used in various contexts, such as:

• “He flied out to left field.”
• “The center fielder caught the flied ball.”
• “The batter flied out to end the inning.”

It is important to note that flied is not interchangeable with flew, as they have different meanings and uses. Additionally, the word flied is not commonly used outside of the context of baseball.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using the words “flew” and “flied” in a sentence, it’s important to understand the proper context in which each word should be used. While they may sound similar, they have distinct meanings that can change the entire meaning of a sentence if used incorrectly.

How To Use “Flew” In A Sentence

The word “flew” is the past tense of the verb “fly.” It is used to describe an action that has already happened in the past. Here are some examples:

• Yesterday, the birds flew south for the winter.
• She flew to New York for a business meeting.
• The plane flew over the mountains.

As you can see, “flew” is used to describe an action that involves flying through the air, whether it be a bird, a person, or a plane. It is always used as the past tense of the verb “fly.”

How To Use “Flied” In A Sentence

The word “flied” is the past tense of the verb “fly” when it is used in the context of baseball. It is used to describe a ball that has been hit into the air by a batter. Here are some examples:

• The batter flied out to center field.
• He flied the ball deep into left field.
• The outfielder caught the flied ball for an out.

As you can see, “flied” is only used in the context of baseball to describe a specific action that involves hitting a ball into the air. It is always used as the past tense of the verb “fly” in this context.

More Examples Of Flew & Flied Used In Sentences

Understanding the proper usage of the words “flew” and “flied” is crucial for anyone who wants to write or speak English fluently. Here are some examples of how to use these words in sentences:

Examples Of Using “Flew” In A Sentence

• The bird flew away from the tree.
• The plane flew over the mountains.
• The kite flew high in the sky.
• The butterfly flew from flower to flower.
• The ball flew over the fence and into the neighbor’s yard.
• The helicopter flew low over the city.
• The eagle flew above the clouds.
• The spaceship flew through outer space.
• The flag flew proudly in the wind.
• The superhero flew to the rescue.

Examples Of Using “Flied” In A Sentence

• The baseball player flied out to center field.
• The insect flied into the spider’s web.
• The bird flied into the window and was stunned.
• The kite flied through the air with ease.
• The frisbee flied over the heads of the players.
• The butterfly flied away when the child tried to catch it.
• The rocket flied into the atmosphere.
• The drone flied over the park, taking pictures.
• The bat flied out of the cave at dusk.
• The paper airplane flied across the room.

By studying these examples and practicing their use in your own writing and speaking, you can become more confident in your ability to use “flew” and “flied” correctly.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “flew” and “flied,” many people make the mistake of thinking they are interchangeable. However, this is not the case, and using these words incorrectly can lead to confusion and miscommunication. In this section, we will highlight common mistakes people make when using “flew” and “flied” interchangeably, with explanations of why they are incorrect. We will also offer tips on how to avoid making these mistakes in the future.

Using “Flied” Instead Of “Flew”

One of the most common mistakes people make when using these two words is using “flied” instead of “flew.” While both words refer to movement through the air, “flew” is used to describe movement by air travel, while “flied” is used to describe movement through the air by means of a ball or other object being hit or thrown.

For example, saying “The bird flied away” is incorrect, as it implies that the bird was hit or thrown. The correct phrase would be “The bird flew away.” Similarly, saying “He flied to New York” is incorrect, as it implies that he was hit or thrown to New York. The correct phrase would be “He flew to New York.”

Using “Flew” Instead Of “Flied”

Another common mistake people make is using “flew” instead of “flied” when referring to movement through the air of a ball or other object being hit or thrown. This mistake is particularly common in sports contexts, where the term “fly ball” is often used to describe a ball hit high into the air.

For example, saying “He flied out to center field” is correct, as it refers to a ball that was hit or thrown and traveled through the air. Saying “He flew out to center field” would be incorrect, as it implies that he traveled through the air himself.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it is important to remember the difference between “flew” and “flied.” If you are referring to movement through the air by air travel, use “flew.” If you are referring to movement through the air of a ball or other object being hit or thrown, use “flied.”

It can also be helpful to think about the context in which you are using these words. If you are talking about a bird or a plane, for example, you would use “flew.” If you are talking about a baseball game, you would use “flied.”

Context Matters

Choosing between flew and flied can be a tricky decision, as it may depend on the context in which they are used. While both words refer to the past tense of the verb fly, there are certain situations where one may be more appropriate than the other.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts where the choice between flew and flied might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Word Choice
Human Movement	He flew/flied to New York last week.	Flew
Animal Movement	The bird flew/flied away from the tree.	Flew
Sporting Events	The outfielder flew/flied out to center field.	Flied
Aviation	The plane flew/flied from London to Paris.	Flew

In the first two examples, where the context involves human or animal movement, flew is the correct word choice. However, in the context of a sporting event, such as baseball, flied is the proper past tense of fly when referring to a ball hit in the air and caught by an outfielder. Finally, in the context of aviation, flew is the appropriate choice when referring to a plane’s movement through the air.

It is important to note that context is not the only factor to consider when choosing between flew and flied. The subject of the sentence and the tense being used must also be taken into account. However, understanding the context in which these words are used can be a helpful guide when making this decision.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using flew and flied are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they might not apply. Here are some cases where the rules may differ:

1. Baseball Terminology

In baseball, the past tense of “fly” is “flied,” regardless of whether it refers to a person or an object. For example, “He flied out to center field” is the correct usage in baseball terminology. This is because the term “fly ball” is used to describe a ball that is hit high into the air, and “flied” is used to indicate that the ball was hit in this way.

2. Regional Differences

In some regions of the English-speaking world, the rules for using flew and flied may differ slightly. For example, in some parts of the United States, it is common to use “flied” as the past tense of both “fly” and “flee.” While this usage is not technically correct, it is widely accepted in certain regions and contexts.

3. Figurative Language

When using “fly” or “flee” in a figurative sense, the rules for using flew and flied may not apply. For example, if someone says “I flew through my homework,” they are using “flew” in a figurative sense to indicate that they completed the task quickly. In this case, the rules for using flew and flied do not apply, as the verb is being used in a non-literal way.

4. Irregular Verbs

Finally, it is worth noting that “fly” and “flee” are both irregular verbs, which means that their past participles do not follow the usual pattern. While “flew” and “flied” are the correct past tense forms of these verbs, they may not always be used in the same way as regular past tense verbs.

Verb	Base Form	Past Tense	Past Participle
fly	fly	flew	flown
flee	flee	fled	fled

It is important to keep these exceptions in mind when using flew and flied in your writing. While the rules are generally straightforward, there are situations where they may not apply, and it is important to use these words correctly in order to communicate effectively.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have covered the differences between “flew” and “flied,” it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these verbs in sentences:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct verb (flew or flied) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. The bird ___________ over the tree.
2. The baseball player ___________ the ball to center field.
3. The plane ___________ across the sky.
4. The insect ___________ into the spider’s web.

Answer Key:

1. flew
2. flied
3. flew
4. flied

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of “flew” or “flied”:

1. The butterfly flied around the garden.
2. The plane flewed across the ocean.
3. The baseball player flew out to left field.
4. The bird flied out of the cage.

Answer Key:

1. The butterfly flew around the garden.
2. The plane flew across the ocean.
3. The baseball player flied out to left field.
4. The bird flew out of the cage.

By completing these exercises, you should have a better understanding of when to use “flew” and “flied” in sentences. Remember, “flew” is used for things that move through the air on their own, while “flied” is used for hitting or throwing objects through the air. With practice, you’ll be able to use these verbs with confidence in your writing!

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “flew” and “flied,” it is clear that these two words are not interchangeable. “Flew” is the past tense of “fly” when used as a verb to describe movement through the air. “Flied” is the past tense of “fly” when used as a verb to describe hitting a ball in baseball.

It is important to understand the proper usage of these words in order to effectively communicate in both written and spoken language. By paying attention to context and using the correct form of the word, we can avoid confusion and ensure that our message is conveyed clearly.

As with any aspect of grammar and language use, there is always more to learn. By continuing to study and practice, we can improve our communication skills and become more effective communicators.