Flys or Flies

Confused about whether to use Flys or Flies? You’re not alone this little word puzzle trips up even experienced English speakers. I’ve seen many people make the mistake of writing flys when they actually mean flies, and it can be surprisingly tricky.

The key lies in understanding singular and plural forms, as well as proper verb usage. While English rules may seem confusing at first, once you grasp the pattern, it becomes easy to remember.

In this guide, we’ll break it down step by step and clear all doubts. By the end, you’ll confidently know when to use flies and avoid the common mistake of flys. Learning this small detail can make a big difference in your writing.

Quick Answer ✅

The correct plural of fly (the insect or the verb in third person singular) is flies, not flys.

Fly → singular
Flies → plural
Flys → incorrect in standard English

What Does “Fly” Mean? 🧐

The word fly can be a noun or a verb, and its meaning changes accordingly:

1. As a Noun

Refers to the small flying insect.
Example: A fly is buzzing around the kitchen.
Plural: flies
Example: There are three flies in the garden.

2. As a Verb

Refers to the act of moving through the air.
Example: Birds fly south for the winter.
Third person singular: flies
Example: She flies to New York every month.

Correct Usage: Flies vs Flys 📝

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example Sentence
Fly	Noun	A small insect	A fly landed on my sandwich.
Fly	Verb	To move through the air	I fly to London every summer.
Flies	Noun (plural)	More than one fly	Flies are annoying in summer.
Flies	Verb (3rd person singular)	He/She/It moves through the air	The plane flies over the mountains.
Flys	Incorrect	Common mistake	❌ Incorrect: “Two flys are here.”

💡 Memory Tip: Most nouns ending in -y change y → ies in plural (e.g., baby → babies, city → cities). That’s why it’s flies, not flys.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them ❌

Using “flys” as plural
- ❌ Incorrect: I saw many flys in the kitchen.
- ✅ Correct: I saw many flies in the kitchen.
Confusing verb form with noun plural
- ❌ Incorrect: The bird flys every morning.
- ✅ Correct: The bird flies every morning.
Mixing British and American English
- Both flies (plural of fly) and flies (third-person singular verb) are standard in both British and American English.
- Flys is considered incorrect everywhere.

Mnemonic Trick: 🐝

“If it ends with a ‘y’, change to ‘ies’ when more than one fly tries to play.”
This helps you remember the plural rule quickly.

Real Life Examples ✨

Emails & Professional Writing

✅ Our company flies staff to international offices monthly.
✅ Flies in the office are distracting please clean the kitchen.

Social Media & Messaging

✅ Check out all the flies in my backyard! 🐝
✅ My drone flies high above the city.

News & Academic Writing

✅ Scientists study how fruit flies adapt to climate change.
✅ The bird flies at incredible speeds during migration.

British vs American English Notes 🌍

Good news! There is no difference between British and American English when it comes to flies.

Plural noun → flies (both)
Third person singular verb → flies (both)

❌ Flys is never used in formal writing, social media, or academia.

Fun Comparison Table: Flys vs Flies ✨

Feature	Flies	Flys
Correct plural noun	✅ Yes	❌ No
Correct verb form (he/she/it)	✅ Yes	❌ No
Informal usage	✅ Acceptable (only flies)	❌ Never
Memory trick	y → ies for plural	N/A
Examples	Flies buzz around the room. She flies every month.	—

Related Grammar Tips 📝

Third Person Singular Rule:
Add -s or -es to verbs for he/she/it:
- fly → flies
- go → goes
- do → does
Plural Noun Rule:
Words ending in -y preceded by a consonant → change y → ies
- fly → flies
- baby → babies
- city → cities
Never add -s to make verb plural:
- ❌ Incorrect: I flys every day.
- ✅ Correct: I fly every day.

Examples in Everyday Speech 💬

“Look at those flies on the picnic blanket!” 🐝
“The superhero flies across the city in seconds!” 🦸‍♂️
“Do you think flies like sugary drinks?” 🍹
“The plane flies faster than a bird.” ✈️
“Oh no! There are three flies on my sandwich!” 🥪

FAQs People Also Ask ❓

Q1: Is “flys” ever correct?
A1: No. “Flys” is always considered a spelling mistake in English.

Q2: How do you spell the plural of fly?
A2: The plural is flies. Remember the y → ies rule.

Q3: Do British and American English spell it differently?
A3: No. Both use flies as the plural and third person singular verb.

Q4: How do I know if it’s a noun or verb?
A4: Check the sentence:

Noun → talking about the insect.
Verb → talking about moving through the air.

Q5: What’s an easy memory trick for this?
A5: “If it ends with a ‘y’, change to ‘ies’ when more than one fly tries to play.” 🐝

Q6: Can “flies” be used in idioms?
A6: Yes! Example: Time flies when you’re having fun. ⏳

Q7: Are there other words like fly that follow this rule?
A7: Yes, words ending in y with a consonant before it: baby → babies, city → cities, party → parties.

Conclusion 🎯

The main takeaway:

✅ Plural noun → flies
✅ Third person singular verb → flies
❌ “Flys” is always incorrect

Remember the y → ies trick, and you’ll never make this mistake again. Use examples from daily life, emails, and social media to reinforce correct usage.

Keep it simple: When in doubt, write flies, and your English will always look polished! 🌟