Phrasal verbs "fly by" vs "go by"

Differences between fly by and go by

Fly by means to pass quickly or to go by rapidly, while go by means to pass or elapse, especially time.

Meanings and Definitions: fly by vs go by

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Fly by

• 1. When time appears to move quickly.

  As I get older, the years just FLY BY.

Go by

• 1. The passing of time.

  Ten years WENT BY before we saw each other again.

• 2. Trust or depend on for correct information.

  Don't GO BY my watch; it's usually a bit slow.

• 3. Pay a short visit, call.

  Nobody was at home when I WENT BY yesterday.

Usage Examples: fly by, go by in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

fly by

Example

The weekend always seems to fly by too quickly.

Example

Time flies by when you're having fun.

go by

Example

The days go by so quickly when you're having fun.

Example

Time goes by so fast when you're busy.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Fly by

whiz by

To pass by quickly or suddenly.

Example

The cars whizzed by on the highway as we drove to the beach.

zip by

To move past quickly or speedily.

Example

The days zipped by as we worked on our project.

rush by

To pass by quickly or hurriedly.

Example

The weeks rushed by as we prepared for the big event.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Go by

pass by

To elapse or move past.

Example

The years passed by as she grew older and wiser.

tick away

To pass gradually or steadily, especially time.

Example

The clock ticked away as we waited for the train to arrive.

slip by

To pass by quietly or unnoticed.

Example

The opportunity slipped by before he realized it was there.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “fly”

• fly around
• fly at
• fly about
• fly into

Phrasal Verbs with “go”

• go out
• go ahead with
• go along
• go down to
• go away

Phrasal Verbs with “by”

• abide by
• swing by
• drop by
• check by
• swear by

Differences in fly by vs go by: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: fly by or go by?

In daily conversation, people use go by more often than fly by. This is because go by is used for more routine activities such as checking the time or planning a schedule. Fly by is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about something passing quickly. So, while both phrases are used, go by is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of fly by and go by

Fly by and go by are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of fly by and go by

The tone of fly by and go by can differ based on context. Fly by often carries a sense of surprise or amazement when referring to something passing quickly, while go by typically has a neutral or matter-of-fact tone, especially when referring to the passage of time.

fly by & go by: Synonyms and Antonyms

Fly by

Synonyms

• pass quickly
• speed by
• whiz by
• hurry by
• rush by

Antonyms

• linger
• dawdle
• drag on
• crawl by
• slow down

Go by

Synonyms

• pass
• elapse
• proceed
• flow
• move
• advance
• progress
• roll on

Antonyms

• stop
• pause
• halt
• cease
• hold
• delay
• postpone
• stand still