Flew vs. Flown
“Flew” and “flown” are different forms of the irregular verb “fly.” “Flew” is the simple past, while “flown” is the past participle used in perfect constructions and, where applicable, passive constructions.
Use “flew” for the simple past and “flown” as the past participle, especially after have/has/had.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| simple past without an auxiliary | flew | Use “flew” for the simple past. |
| past participle after have/has/had | flown | Use “flown” with perfect constructions. |
| past participle in passive/perfect-like verbal structures | flown | Use the participle where the grammar requires it. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Is the verb following “have,” “has,” or “had,” or otherwise functioning as a past participle?
If yes: Use “flown.”
If no: Use “flew” for the simple past.
Caveat: This distinction concerns the verb “fly”; fixed expressions or unrelated noun uses need their own analysis.
Examples
The plane flew over the coast yesterday.
“Flew” is the simple-past form.
The plane has flown this route many times.
“Flown” follows “has” as the past participle.
By noon, the crew had flown two sectors.
“Flown” follows “had” in the past perfect.
Further guidance
Core difference
“Flew” is the simple-past form of “fly”; “flown” is the past participle used with auxiliaries such as have, has, or had and in passive constructions when the verb permits them.
Fast Test
If have, has, or had directly governs the form of “fly,” choose “flown.” For a standalone finite past-tense verb, choose “flew.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Fly — Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct verb-form evidence: fly has past tense flew and past participle flown.