a long dream

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long dream" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a dream that feels extended in duration or has a significant narrative. Example: "After waking up, I struggled to remember the details of a long dream that seemed to last for hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

In a long dream, I'm with Aaron, visiting his future, helping him make choices.

The New Yorker

Regardless of its color, the medal fulfilled a long dream for Hoffa, who lived in an orphanage for a year before being adopted at 5 years old.

The New York Times - Sports

Caleb Moore regained consciousness after a minute or two, saying he felt as if he had awakened from a long dream.

The New York Times - Sports

But it is now creating more friction than unity.Hungarian rhapsodyLast month Hungary's prime minister, Ferenc Gyurcsany, called Nabucco a "long dream".

The Economist

It has always been second nature for Mr. Allen to Mad-Lib a phrase while on autopilot ("a long dream in which Rodgers and Hart appeared at his window as parrots and simonized his car") without breaking a sweat.

The New York Times - Books

Lowell, who was influenced by the works of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and Thomas Malory, offers his version of the Grail story in this tale of a knight who decides not to take a journey in search of the Holy Grail after he learns, during the course of a long dream, that the real meaning of the Grail is charity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Playwright David Seidler calls it "the fulfilment of a very long dream".

BBC

And he did just that at the young age of 50, and embarked fully on a life long dream.

Huffington Post

Mr. Riley was storyteller, pianist and singer in his work, which at almost an hour felt like an extremely long dream.

The New York Times - Arts

Martha, more important, was coming home to a land long dreamed of, since all Icelanders share her almost desperate sense of the centrality of coffee to existence.

The New Yorker

It can be viewed as the transformation into reality of a long held dream called "Utility Computing", it also emerged into the market with a huge potential to fulfill this dream.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a long dream" to describe experiences that feel surreal or disconnected from reality, emphasizing the duration and immersive quality of the dreamlike state.

Common error

Avoid using "a long dream" when you mean a goal or ambition pursued over time. Instead, use phrases like "a lifelong ambition" or "a long-term goal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long dream" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an experience during sleep characterized by its extended duration. Examples show it depicting experiences both surreal and impactful.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

11%

Huffington Post

11%

Less common in

BBC

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a long dream" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe an extended or immersive dream experience. As Ludwig AI points out, while the phrase is relatively uncommon, it appears across a range of sources, including news media, encyclopedias, and literature. Its function is primarily descriptive, conveying a sense of surreality and detachment. When writing, remember that a better alternative may be "a life long dream" to describe an objective or goal to reach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extended reverie

Replaces "dream" with "reverie" implying a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts.

a never-ending dream

Emphasizes the continuous and seemingly infinite nature of the dream experience.

a prolonged vision

Substitutes "dream" with "vision", suggesting a more vivid and perhaps spiritual experience.

a protracted daydream

Replaces "dream" with "daydream", indicating a waking fantasy or wishful thinking.

a vivid and enduring dream

Emphasizes the clarity and lasting impression of the dream.

a drawn-out illusion

Replaces "dream" with "illusion", highlighting the deceptive or unreal quality of the experience.

a lengthy fantasy

Swaps "dream" with "fantasy", emphasizing the imaginative and unrealistic nature of the experience.

a sustained delusion

Replaces "dream" with "delusion", suggesting a false belief that is maintained despite evidence to the contrary.

an extensive dream sequence

Adds "sequence" to specify a part of a narrative representing a dream, often in films.

a life-altering dream

Highlights the transformative impact or significance of the dream on one's life.

FAQs

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

You can use "a long dream" to describe a dream that felt extended or particularly vivid, like "After waking up, I struggled to remember the details of "a long dream" that seemed to last for hours."

What's the difference between "a long dream" and "a vivid dream"?

"A long dream" emphasizes the duration of the dream, while "a vivid dream" highlights its clarity and detail. You might have "a long dream" that you barely remember, or a short but "vivid dream" that stays with you all day.

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "an extended reverie", "a prolonged vision", or "a lengthy fantasy".

Is it correct to say "a life long dream" instead of "a long dream"?

While both phrases exist, "a life long dream" typically refers to a goal or ambition pursued throughout one's life, whereas "a long dream" describes a dream experienced during sleep that felt extended. They are not interchangeable.