a pure fantasy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pure fantasy" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It means something that is completely imaginary or unrealistic. Example: "The idea of humans living on Mars within the next decade is a pure fantasy, as there are still many technological and logistical challenges to overcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A pure fantasy.

Stanford University

I realize what I'm asking the Church to do is a pure fantasy.

The Washington Post

(Hemenway is also the scientist who has shown that the inflated figure of guns used in self-defense every year, running even to a million or two million, is a pure fantasy, even though it's still cited by pro-gun enthusiasts.

The New Yorker

Everything else that came out of his unstoppable mouth was a pure fantasy trip, a trip that is always all about him.

Huffington Post

"The FEC lives in a pure fantasy world in the way it attempts to define coordinated activities as not being coordinated activities". A Romney campaign spokesman referred The Huffington Post to a previous statement that addressed Rove's participation on the media panel at the retreat, which has been widely reported.

HuffPost

"I got very excited, of course, when I knew I was going to be playing the role and I was just living in a pure fantasy for three months going, "I get to do this and I get to do that and I get to do all my stunts and I get to wear the fucking costume and I get to hang out with kids in Queens and I get to research all that and I get to be a kid again..

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But how about when he tries the opposite, planting a bit of reality in a realm of pure fantasy?

The New York Times - Books

The material reality of a domain of pure fantasy comes intermittently to life in "Passengers" in a way that the material reality of the contemporary world never does in "Collateral Beauty".

The New Yorker

St John's Night, which a colleague once described to me as "wonderfully bonkers", looks like a piece of pure fantasy with its goblins, magic potions and mountain visions – yet there is a scathing realism in Ibsen's portrait of posturing poet who thinks he will return to his primitive roots by carrying a sheath-knife and restoring Old Norse.

The Guardian

Many of these films can match "Saving Private Ryan" for graphic bloodshed, but it's more pernicious in a context of pure fantasy.

The New York Times

But after actually reading Lee's new book, the truth dawned on me: the Atticus Finch of To Kill a Mockingbird is pure fantasy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if a more nuanced term like "wishful thinking" or "delusion" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While suitable for general use, "a pure fantasy" can sound dismissive in formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "unrealistic" or "unfounded assumption" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pure fantasy" functions as a noun phrase acting as a predicate nominative or a complement. It typically follows a linking verb (such as "is" or "seems") and renames or describes the subject of the sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a grammatically correct and usable part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pure fantasy" is a grammatically sound phrase used to dismiss ideas as unrealistic. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Its frequency is uncommon, appearing mostly in News & Media, but also Academia and Science contexts. Related phrases include ""a complete illusion"" and ""utterly unrealistic"", and while versatile, it should be used judiciously in formal writing to avoid sounding overly dismissive. Consider the audience and context when employing this phrase to ensure the intended message is effectively conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete illusion

Emphasizes the deceptive nature of the fantasy, suggesting it's not real.

a sheer delusion

Highlights the deceptive nature of the belief and its lack of foundation in reality.

a total fabrication

Stresses that the idea is made up, without any basis in truth.

a mere figment of the imagination

Indicates that the idea exists only in someone's mind and is not real.

simply wishful thinking

Suggests the idea is based on desires rather than reality.

utterly unrealistic

Focuses on the impracticality and lack of feasibility.

entirely made up

Highlights the invented nature of the concept.

nothing more than a dream

Implies the idea is unlikely to happen and exists only in a dreamlike state.

a fanciful notion

Emphasizes the whimsical and imaginative quality.

a pipedream

Suggests an unattainable or unrealistic hope or plan.

FAQs

How can I use "a pure fantasy" in a sentence?

You can use "a pure fantasy" to describe something that is completely imaginary or unrealistic, such as: "The idea that we can solve all our problems with technology alone is "a pure fantasy"".

What are some alternatives to "a pure fantasy"?

Some alternatives to "a pure fantasy" include "a complete illusion", "sheer delusion", or "utterly unrealistic". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a pure fantasy" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a pure fantasy" might be considered too informal or dismissive for some formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "an unrealistic expectation" or "an unfounded assumption" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "a pure fantasy" and "wishful thinking"?

"A pure fantasy" suggests something is entirely detached from reality, while "wishful thinking" implies a belief based on desires rather than facts. Wishful thinking is often about things you hope will happen, whereas something that is "a pure fantasy" is regarded as implausible.