achieve a dream

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "achieve a dream" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that someone has accomplished an ambition or goal. For example, "After years of hard work, she was finally able to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

One more step to achieve a dream.

The Guardian - Sport

On Saturday, one of them will have a chance to achieve a dream deferred.

The New York Times - Sports

I think that striving to achieve a dream is a path full of life lessons that often improve us as people.

The New York Times

Mrs. Perkins would like to see the program replicated throughout New York State and the nation, "so that as many kids as possible could have the opportunity to achieve a dream of becoming a teacher".

The New York Times

Among the other advertisers putting on a happy face for Super Bowl XLII are Anheuser-Busch, with a commercial for Budweiser beer about a Dalmatian helping a Clydesdale achieve a dream, and Bridgestone Firestone North America, with spots featuring Alice Cooper, Richard Simmons, a deer and a squirrel.

The New York Times

The tale of a lad from a North-East coal-mining town battling peer scorn and family expectation to achieve a dream of being a ballet dancer is vying with the likes of "Gladiator", a big-budget bloody Roman epic, predictably up for 12 Oscars.It looks like a match dreamt up by a script-writer; plucky little Brit-film squares up to Yankee studio giant.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He also describes how not achieving a dream can be as enriching as achieving one.

Independent

Ms. Lollobrigida said that she had achieved "a dream" in seeing her works displayed at the Pushkin.

The New York Times - Arts

When Diana Nyad walked up onto the beach in Key West on Monday, 110 miles from Havana, where she had begun her swim — achieving a dream she'd been pursuing for 35 years — everybody wanted her to say something profound.

The New York Times

In 2005, Mr. Blixseth achieved a dream, his former wife says: he made his debut on the Forbes list of wealthiest people with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion.

The New York Times

Housing has been in crisis – but it hasn't been the crisis of the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph, where one's biggest problem is achieving a dream sale price.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "achieve a dream" when you want to emphasize the successful completion of a long-term ambition or deeply held desire. The phrase conveys a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

Common error

Avoid using "achieve a dream" for short-term or easily attainable goals. The phrase is best reserved for ambitions that require significant effort and dedication over an extended period. Instead use verbs like 'complete' or 'finish'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "achieve a dream" functions as a verb phrase, where "achieve" is the main verb and "a dream" is the object. It describes the act of successfully realizing or accomplishing a long-term goal or aspiration. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "achieve a dream" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the successful realization of a long-term ambition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and suitable for various writing contexts. Its usage spans across different domains, particularly in news and media, formal business settings, and academic discussions. When writing, reserve this phrase for describing the culmination of significant effort toward a major goal. Related alternatives include "realize an ambition" and "accomplish a goal", which offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

realize an ambition

Focuses on the realization aspect, using "ambition" as a synonym for "dream".

fulfill a desire

Emphasizes the fulfillment of a want or yearning, rather than a long-term goal.

accomplish a goal

Highlights the act of successfully completing a specific objective.

attain a wish

Uses "attain" to emphasize reaching a desired outcome, with "wish" being a more general term.

make a dream come true

Rephrases the concept as bringing a dream into reality, adding a touch of magic.

actualize a vision

Implies transforming a mental image or concept into a tangible reality.

reach a cherished aspiration

Highlights the emotional value of the goal, using "cherished aspiration" for emphasis.

bring a dream to fruition

Suggests nurturing and developing a dream to its full potential.

secure a long-held ambition

Emphasizes the effort and persistence required to achieve a long-term goal.

capture a heartfelt objective

Expresses achieving an emotionally significant objective or purpose.

FAQs

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

You can use "achieve a dream" to describe the accomplishment of a significant, long-term goal. For example, "After years of training, she finally managed to achieve her dream of competing in the Olympics."

What are some synonyms for "achieve a dream"?

Alternatives include "realize an ambition", "fulfill a desire", or "accomplish a goal", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "achieve a dream" or "achieve your dreams"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "achieve a dream" refers to a single, specific ambition, while "achieve your dreams" implies fulfilling multiple aspirations or a broader vision for your life.

What's the difference between "achieve a dream" and "have a dream"?

"Have a dream" simply means possessing an aspiration, while "achieve a dream" means successfully realizing or accomplishing that aspiration. "Have a dream" is the starting point, and "achieve a dream" is the culmination of effort and perseverance.