It’s a common question when you’re learning English or even just quickly typing: how do you make “fly” plural? Instinct might tell you to simply add an “s” to get “flys.” But in the world of English spelling, things aren’t always that straightforward.
So, is it flys or flies?
The definitive answer is flies. Flys isn’t recognized as the correct plural form of “fly” when referring to the winged insect. In fact, “flys” is considered a misspelling in modern English.
This article will delve into why “flies” is correct, clarify the difference between “flies” and the incorrect “flys,” and provide clear examples to help you use the right spelling every time.
Flies: The Correct Plural of Fly
When you’re talking about more than one fly (the insect), the word you need is flies. This applies whether you’re discussing houseflies buzzing around your kitchen or fruit flies hovering over your bananas.
flies vs flys
Think of it like this: many nouns in English form their plural by adding “s.” However, words ending in “-y,” especially when the “y” is preceded by a consonant, often change the “y” to “ies” to become plural. “Fly” follows this rule.
Here are some examples of “flies” used correctly as a plural noun in sentences:
- Annoying flies buzzed around the picnic table, trying to get to the sandwiches.
- Scientists study flies to understand genetics and behavior.
- How do you get rid of fruit flies in the kitchen?
Flies: Also the Third-Person Singular of the Verb “To Fly”
Adding to the potential confusion, “flies” isn’t just the plural noun. It’s also the third-person singular present tense form of the verb “to fly.” This is used when the subject is “he,” “she,” “it,” or a singular noun.
For instance:
- A bird flies through the sky.
- Time flies when you’re having fun.
- She flies to Paris for vacation every summer.
Notice the spelling is identical to the plural noun form: flies.
Let’s look at some other verbs that follow this same spelling pattern when conjugated in the third-person singular present tense:
- To cry: he cries, she cries, it cries
- To try: he tries, she tries, it tries
- To spy: he spies, she spies, it spies
Remembering this consistent grammatical rule for verbs ending in “y” will help you confidently use “flies” in its verb form as well.
Why “Flys” is Incorrect (Usually)
While “flys” might seem like a logical plural form based on simple “add an ‘s'” rules, it’s not the accepted plural for the insect “fly” in modern English. Using “flys” in this context is generally considered a spelling error.
flys
However, there’s a very rare exception. Historically, in 19th-century England, “fly” referred to a light, horse-drawn carriage. In this specific, archaic context, the plural form was indeed “flys.” But unless you’re writing historical fiction set in that very specific time and place, you will almost certainly never need to use “flys.”
For all practical purposes in contemporary English, stick with flies as both the plural noun for the insect and the third-person singular verb form.
Examples of “Flies” in Literature
To further solidify your understanding, let’s look at how accomplished authors have used “flies” in their writing:
“No one undertakes research in physics with the intention of upsetting established beliefs. Beliefs are what a physicist tries to ignore. His purpose is to discover, and he expects discovery to lead to something consistent with previous knowledge. He is surprised and annoyed if discovery leads to upheaval. Nevertheless, science cannot advance without upheaval. The beliefs of today become the superstitions of tomorrow. Every generation discards a part of its inheritance. If it does not discard enough, it stagnates. The inherited beliefs of কোন age constitute a limitation as well as a starting point. The limitation is obvious when we consider beliefs that are plainly false, like the medieval belief in flies spontaneously generated from decaying meat, or the universal belief, up to the time of Galileo, that the earth is flat.”—Freeman Dyson, Infinite in All Directions
“He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat.” — Napoleon Bonaparte
“Don’t swat at the flies and the mosquitoes, or the moths that flutter around your outdoor light at night. Don’t step on the beetle scuttling across the sidewalk, or the ant marching in and out of your house. Don’t poison the spider in the corner of your cellar or the bee in your garden. Don’t rip up the dandelion growing in your lawn, or the thistle growing in your pasture. Give every living thing its place in the sun, and respect the place it occupies.”—Bernard Werber, Journey of the Ants
“I did not want to die—not yet. Not until I had at least spoken to Ronan again. Maybe kissed him. And definitely kill every last one of those monstrous flies.”—Maggie Stiefvater, The Dream Thieves
“When the girl returned, some hours later, she carried a tray with a cup of tea and a plate of macaroons. ‘I’ve made you some tea, ’ she said. ‘Thank you, ’ he replied. He sat up and stretched. ‘Are they nice, ’ he asked. ‘They’re very good, ’ she said. ‘I’m glad, ’ he said. He took a sip of his tea. ‘You seem better, ’ she said. ‘I am better, ’ he said. ‘I’m much better.’ ‘Good, ’ she said. She paused. ‘I’m glad.’ After a moment she said: ‘I’m sorry about what I said.’ ‘Don’t be sorry, ’ he said. ‘It doesn’t matter.’ ‘Yes, it does matter, ’ she said. ‘It matters to me.’ ‘Well, then, ’ he said, ‘I’m sorry too.’ She smiled. ‘Thank you, ’ she said. ‘You’re welcome, ’ he said. He took another sip of his tea. ‘Are you still going to go to America?’ she asked. ‘I don’t know, ’ he said. ‘I haven’t decided yet.’ ‘I hope you do, ’ she said. ‘Why?’ he asked. ‘Because I think it would be good for you, ’ she said. ‘And because I’d like to come and visit you.’ ‘Would you?’ he said. ‘Yes, ’ she said. ‘I would.’ ‘Well, then, ’ he said, ‘maybe I will.’ She smiled again. ‘Good, ’ she said. ‘Good.’ He finished his tea and put the cup back on the tray. ‘Thank you, ’ he said. ‘You’re welcome, ’ she said. She picked up the tray and carried it away. He watched her go. He was glad she had come. He was glad she had stayed. He was glad she had left. He was glad she was gone. He was glad she was coming back. He was glad she was there. He was glad she was here. He was glad she was with him. He was glad she was with him now. He was glad she was with him then. He was glad she was with him always. He was glad she was with him forever. He was glad she was with him. 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