The verb 'fly' is an irregular verb. Its three principal forms are: fly (present) — flew (past) — flown (past participle). The past participle 'flown' is used with helping verbs like has, have, and had to form perfect tenses. Understanding these forms is essential for English grammar exercises in school.
Past participle of fly = flown.
Simple past of fly = flew.
V1 V2 V3 of fly: fly – flew – flown.
'Flew' is used in simple past sentences (no auxiliary verb needed).
'Flown' is used with has/have/had in perfect tense sentences.
Present participle of fly = flying (used with is/are/was/were).
Form | Word | Usage V1 (Base form) | fly | Present tense, infinitive V2 (Simple past) | flew | Simple past tense V3 (Past participle) | flown | Perfect tenses (with has/have/had) Present participle | flying | Continuous tenses (with is/are/was)
Past Participle of fly = FLOWN
V1 — fly (Present): • Birds fly south in winter. • I want to fly to Delhi. • She can fly a kite well.
V2 — flew (Simple Past): • The eagle flew over the mountains. • We flew to Mumbai last year. • The kite flew high in the sky.
V3 — flown (Past Participle — with has/have/had): • The bird has flown away. • He has never flown before. • By noon, the plane had flown 500 km. • Have you ever flown in a helicopter?
Present Participle — flying: • The pilot is flying the plane now. • Sparrows were flying near the window.
Wrong: The bird has flew away. Right: The bird has flown away.
Wrong: She flown to London yesterday. Right: She flew to London yesterday.
Wrong: I have never flew. Right: I have never flown.
Rule: 'Flew' is used only for simple past without a helping verb. 'Flown' is used as the past participle — always with has, have, or had.
The past participle of 'fly' is 'flown'. It is used with auxiliary verbs has, have, or had. Example: The bird has flown away. He had flown many routes before retirement.
The simple past tense of 'fly' is 'flew'. Example: The plane flew over the city. She flew to Bangalore last Monday.
V1 (present) = fly; V2 (simple past) = flew; V3 (past participle) = flown. 'Fly' is an irregular verb — it does not follow the regular –ed pattern.
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