It may seem like a simple distinction, but whether it’s “flys by” or “flies by” can make all the difference for someone wanting to communicate in a clear and correct manner. While the two phrases may sound similar, they are actually quite different.
“Flys by” is a common mistake that occurs when people forget to add the necessary “-es” to the verb “fly” in the third person singular present tense. “Fly” is an irregular verb, which means that its conjugation does not follow a set pattern like regular verbs. Instead, we have to memorize its various forms.
In this case, when we want to talk about something that is flying by in the present tense, we need to add “-es” to the end of the verb. This results in “flies by”. For example, “The bird flies by my window every morning.”
Conversely, “flys by” is actually grammatically incorrect. It can lead to confusion and could make people question the writer’s language skills. It is always advisable to use the correct version of a word to avoid confusion.
Another common mistake is when people use the singular form of “fly” with a plural object. For example, “The birds flys by my window every morning.” The correct sentence would be, “The birds fly by my window every morning.” Here, “fly” is used in its plural form, which is “fly” itself.
But what about cases where “fly” is not used as a verb? In these instances, “flys by” is not appropriate at all because “flys” is not a word in the English language. The correct phrase will depend on the context of the sentence.
For example, if we were talking about flies – the pesky insects – we could say, “The flies buzz by my head.” Here, “buzz” is the verb describing what the flies do, and “by” is the preposition indicating their location.
Overall, the differences between “flys by” and “flies by” can seem subtle, but they are highly significant in conveying the right message. The correct use of verbs and other parts of speech is key to clear and precise communication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is “flys by” a word?
No, “flys by” is not a word in the English language. It is a common mistake to forget the “-es” ending when conjugating “fly” in the third person singular present tense.
2. What is the correct way to say “flies by”?
“Flies by” is the correct way to say that something is flying past in the present tense. To make the verb “fly” agree with a third person singular subject, we need to add “-es” to the end of the word.
3. Can I use “flys by” instead of “flies by”?
No, “flys by” is not correct. It is important to use the correct version of a word to avoid confusion and misunderstandings.
4. Is it okay to use “fly” in its plural form?
Yes, “fly” can be used in its plural form when referring to multiple insects. For example, “The flies buzz around my head” is correct.