What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fly
Example
The bird flew over the trees. [flew: past tense]
Example
I saw a fly buzzing around the room. [fly: noun]
Example
She quickly swatted the fly away from her face. [fly: verb]
insect
Example
The butterfly is a beautiful insect. [insect: noun]
Example
We learned about the life cycle of insects in science class. [insects: plural noun]
Example
I don't like going camping because of all the insects that come out at night. [insects: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Insect is more commonly used than fly in everyday language, as it is a broader term that encompasses a wide variety of small animals. Fly is more specific and is used primarily to refer to a type of winged insect.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fly and insect?
Both fly and insect are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
