If you ’ve ever puzzled over whether to use “ flys ” or “ fly ” in your writing , you ’re not alone The puzzling difference between these two discussion trips up many English speakers and writers . Read on for a vindicated account of when to use “ flies ” versus “ flys ” along with handy object lesson
“Flies” is the Correct Form
First , the canonical rule : “ flies ” is the proper spelling . “ Flys ” is incorrect in standard English grammar .
“ Flies ” has two uses
The plural form of the noun “ tent-fly ” meaning an insect . For object lesson : “ There were flies buzz around the picnic food . ”
The third somebody singular present tense conjugation of the verb “ to fly ” intend to move through the air For example “ The bird fly to the south every wintertime ”
Meanwhile , “ flys ” has no accept US in advanced English . It ’s just a common misspelling of “ fly . ”
Why the Confusion Exists
The slick matter about English is that pluralization and verb conjugation rule are n’t always consistent or predictable .
Most plural noun just tot up an “ s ” or “ es . ” Since “ fly ” ends in a “ yttrium , ” it ’s coherent to judge that the plural would be “ fly . ”
But “ fly ” is one of the exceptions where the “ y ” changes to “ i.e. ” before the “ s ” when pluralized .
For verb , the third somebody funny commonly ends in “ s. ” So it ’s easy to mistakenly spell the present tense of “ fly ” as “ fly . ”
Examples of Proper Usage
Let ’s look at some examples to crystallize when to expend “ fly front ” versus “ flys ” :
right : The flies were buzzing around the ice cans , trying to land on the rotting garbage inside .
Incorrect : The flys were buzz around the shabu crapper , trying to land on the rotting garbage inside .
Correct : The fly flapped its small wings as tight as possible to stick airborne .
Incorrect : The fly flys its footling wings as fast as potential to remain airborne .
right : When the season changes , the Bronx cheer flies one thousand of miles to warmer areas .
Incorrect : When the time of year change , the wench fly M of mile to warmer area .
Why Proper Spelling Matters
Using words right might seem trivial , but proper spelling is important for several ground :
Since “ flys ” is definitively incorrect , it ’s well forefend in all conventional written material linguistic context .
Common Questions About “Flies vs. Flys”
Here are answers to some oftentimes asked questions :
Is “ flys ” ever acceptable?No , “ flys ” has no correct usage in stock English .
How can I think of which spell to use?An easy way to recall is the phrase “ Time fly . ”
Are there other words that watch over this spelling pattern?Yes , “ fly ” is n’t unique . Other Good Book like “ baby / babies ” and “ lady / ladies ” also convert from a “ y ” to “ ies ” when pluralized .
What about spellcheckers?While helpful , spellcheckers wo n’t get every improper usage of “ flys . ” Knowing the rule yourself is most reliable .
In Summary…
The key points to remember are :
habituate “ flies ” for the plural form worm and the tertiary person present tense verb .
“ Flys ” is always incorrect – it ’s a common spelling error .
Mastering pernicious spelling intricacies like “ flies vs. fly ” will improve your written communicating skill .
So next time you ’re writing about those buzzing glitch or describing flight , you could confidently utilise “ tent flap ” instead of the wrong “ flys . ” bed spelling rule at bottom and out will make you a respectable , more meticulous author .
