affect their dreams

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "affect their dreams" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how certain factors or experiences influence people's aspirations or subconscious thoughts. Example: "The challenges they faced during their childhood can significantly affect their dreams for the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And this is particularly tough, because I know that sometimes small-business owners may take my guidance as the last word on whether they can expect to obtain capital, which may affect their dreams and livelihoods, as well as other people's jobs.

The New York Times

Talking with our kids about their plans will not only strengthen our relationships with them, it will also allow us to help them consider how the risks they take today may affect their dreams for tomorrow.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

How do you think it would have affected their dreams of the future if they had heard Hillary Clinton say that only she can win, because unlike Sen. Obama only she can appeal to "hard working Americans, white Americans"?

Huffington Post

Thus, external migration not only robs such children of positive role models, it also negatively affects their dreams and aspirations and hence the number of children aspiring to become health professionals.

BMC Health Services Research

Partly, I became interested because I was getting a nightly practicum in how the books a kid hears at bedtime affect their sleep and also their dreams (both in the micro and the macro sense).

Huffington Post

There are so many things they've been collecting on their way here, to this dream, you know, is going to affect their lifestyle and is going to affect their health.

BMC Public Health

It affects their conscience.

The New York Times

It affects their efficiency.

BBC

It affects their budgets.

BBC

How does that imaginative process affect our dreams, how does it appear in our metaphors?

The New Yorker

Events in the outside world usually get ignored: not that I'd recommend doing this but experiments have shown that even if you sleep with your eyes taped open and someone flashes a light at you it is unlikely that it will affect your dreams.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "affect their dreams" when discussing the impact of external factors, experiences, or decisions on an individual's aspirations and long-term goals. This phrasing is particularly effective in contexts where emotional or subconscious influences are significant.

Common error

Be mindful of the difference between "affect" and "effect". "Affect" is typically used as a verb to describe the act of influencing something, while "effect" is usually a noun referring to the result of that influence. For example, it is correct to say, "Stress can affect their dreams," not "Stress can effect their dreams."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "affect their dreams" functions as a verb phrase where "affect" is the verb indicating influence, and "their dreams" serves as the object, denoting what is being influenced. The Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "affect their dreams" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes how external factors influence someone's aspirations or subconscious thoughts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in English writing. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts such as news, science, and general writing, as supported by examples from sources like The New York Times and BBC. Related phrases include "impact their aspirations" and "influence their ambitions", providing alternative ways to express the same concept. When using this phrase, be mindful of differentiating "affect" from "effect". Overall, "affect their dreams" effectively conveys the influence of external factors on an individual's goals and aspirations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impact their aspirations

Replaces "affect" with "impact" and "dreams" with "aspirations", focusing on goals.

influence their ambitions

Substitutes "affect" with "influence" and "dreams" with "ambitions", emphasizing motivation.

shape their future

Focuses on the broader concept of molding their path, rather than specific dreams.

mold their desires

Emphasizes the formative influence on their wants and wishes.

determine their goals

Highlights the power to set the course of their objectives.

color their perceptions

Focuses on how experiences alter their view of the world and possibilities.

alter their perspectives

Indicates a change in their viewpoints and outlooks.

have an effect on their visions

Uses a more formal structure with "have an effect on" and replaces "dreams" with "visions".

change their life goals

Emphasizes the alteration of objectives over the course of their lives.

redirect their focus

Suggests a shift in the direction of their attention and energy.

FAQs

How can I use "affect their dreams" in a sentence?

You can use "affect their dreams" to describe how external factors, experiences, or decisions influence someone's aspirations. For example, "Childhood experiences can significantly affect their dreams for the future."

What are some alternatives to "affect their dreams"?

You can use alternatives like "impact their aspirations", "influence their ambitions", or "shape their future" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "effect their dreams" instead of "affect their dreams"?

No, it is not correct. "Affect" is a verb that means to influence, while "effect" is typically a noun that means a result or consequence. Therefore, "affect" is the correct word to use in the phrase "affect their dreams".

What is the difference between "affect their dreams" and "impact their dreams"?

While both phrases are similar, "impact their dreams" often suggests a more forceful or significant influence than "affect their dreams". The choice depends on the degree of influence you want to convey.