a distant dream

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distant dream" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that seems far away or unlikely to happen, often in a hopeful or aspirational context. Example: "Becoming a successful author was once just a distant dream for her, but now she is on the verge of publishing her first novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a distant dream".

The New Yorker

Efficiency is a distant dream.

The Economist

Anesthesia remained a distant dream.

The New York Times

Elsewhere, 3G remains a distant dream.

The Economist

New construction remains a distant dream.

The New York Times

But that is still a distant dream.

The New York Times

The N.F.L. was a distant dream.

The New York Times

Culinary school remains a distant dream.

The New York Times

Disarmament is a distant dream.

The New York Times

Burgwyn admits that, initially, HLS seemed like a distant dream.

Harvard University

For them universal secondary access is a distant dream.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distant dream" to describe goals or aspirations that seem unlikely to be achieved in the near future, adding a sense of hope or longing.

Common error

Avoid using "a distant dream" for goals that are realistically attainable with effort; this diminishes the phrase's impact and suggests a lack of commitment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distant dream" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes an aspiration or goal that seems far off or unlikely to be realized, as evidenced by Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a distant dream" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that evokes a sense of longing for something currently out of reach. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While expressing hope, it signifies an aspiration that seems unlikely to be achieved soon. When writing, it's best used for goals that genuinely appear unattainable in the near term, avoiding its application to realistically achievable objectives. Related phrases, such as "a remote possibility" or "a pipe dream", offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remote possibility

Emphasizes the unlikelihood of something occurring, shifting focus to probability.

a far-fetched idea

Highlights the implausibility or unrealistic nature of the concept.

an unlikely prospect

Suggests that something is not expected to happen based on current circumstances.

a pipe dream

Implies a fantasy or unrealistic hope, often unattainable.

a faint hope

Indicates a small chance of something positive happening, but with little certainty.

a long shot

Suggests that success is possible but highly improbable.

a wishful thought

Highlights the element of desire rather than realistic expectation.

a fanciful notion

Emphasizes the imaginative and perhaps impractical nature of the idea.

a future ambition

Shifts the focus to a long-term goal that requires significant effort and may not be easily achieved.

an improbable event

Highlights the unlikeliness of a specific occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "a distant dream" in a sentence?

You can use "a distant dream" to describe something that seems unlikely to happen in the near future. For example, "Owning a home felt like "a distant dream" for many young adults struggling with student loan debt".

What can I say instead of "a distant dream"?

You can use alternatives like "a remote possibility", "a far-fetched idea", or "a pipe dream", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a distant dream" in formal writing?

Yes, "a distant dream" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when discussing long-term goals or aspirations. However, consider alternatives if a more precise or technical term is needed.

What's the difference between "a distant dream" and "a future ambition"?

"A distant dream" implies something that is unlikely to happen, while "a future ambition" refers to a long-term goal that you are actively working towards, even if it takes time and effort.