as if from a dream

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as if from a dream" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or experience that feels surreal or otherworldly, as though it were part of a dream. Example: "The landscape was so beautiful, it felt as if from a dream, with vibrant colors and ethereal light."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Then we awake as if from a dream.

The Guardian

The woman and boy walk out of the night, as if from a dream.

The New York Times

Sometimes I had to wake myself up as if from a dream, even though I was already awake.

The Guardian

The heavenly bodies that populate our films bring their own pleasures, of course, alighting on screen as if from a dream.

The New York Times

This is a freewheeling virtual-reality play, sending the participant scurrying on a fraught 20-minute trip into Wonderland, where they try to catch Humpty Dumpty and chase after a crown before being yanked out through the curtains as if from a dream.

The Guardian - Film

The appeal is that it takes place in what is effectively an upmarket theatrical dosshouse (otherwise known as the Barbican's studio space, the Pit) and comes complete with crisp sheets, ergonomic pillows, earplugs, sweet singing – and, oh, a giant squid that gently floats around, as if from a dream.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Shaking herself, as if waking from a dream, the creature stretched her wings as far as they would go, and with a single flap lifted herself a few yards into the air.

The New Yorker

Suddenly, I have become highly self-aware, almost as if waking from a dream.

The New York Times

"[But] suddenly, I have become highly self-aware, almost as if waking from a dream".

The Guardian - Music

It wasn't until the 1980s, when China opened its door to the outside world, that we finally began to face reality, as if waking from a dream.

The New York Times - Books

The woman who had invited me shook her head as if emerging from a dream and insisted I stay: "But I thought you were Jewish.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as if from a dream" to create a sense of surrealism or to emphasize a sudden return to reality after a period of detachment. It's particularly effective when describing a memory or a moment that feels distant or unreal.

Common error

Avoid using "as if from a dream" when you are literally describing events within a dream. This phrase is better suited for metaphorical comparisons to dreamlike states in waking life.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as if from a dream" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, adding a layer of surreal or unreal quality to the action or object it describes. Ludwig AI identifies its proper use in a range of contexts, underlining its descriptive capability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as if from a dream" is a prepositional phrase used to imbue a sense of unreality or detachment to a described event or state. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct. It appears most frequently in News & Media, less so in Wiki and other source types. While interchangeable with alternatives like "like waking from a dream" or "as in a dream", it should be reserved for metaphorical comparisons to dreamlike states in waking life, not literal dream scenarios. Use this phrase to effectively convey moments that feel surreal, distant, or difficult to fully comprehend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

like waking from a dream

This alternative focuses more on the act of waking up and the transition from a dream state.

as though from a dream

It changes only a word making the sentence a little more literary and the similarity is almost the same.

as in a dream

This alternative shortens the expression, emphasizing the dreamlike quality.

as if in a dream

This alternative adds 'in', slightly changing the focus to being within a dreamlike state.

in a dreamlike state

This option replaces the 'as if' structure with a direct description of a state of mind.

reminiscent of a dream

This alternative shifts the emphasis to the quality of being similar to a dream.

like a dream

A more concise way to express that something feels unreal or dreamlike.

as though emerging from a dream

It emphasizes the act of coming out of the state of dreaming instead of being inside of it.

as if out of a trance

This option changes the context from 'dream' to 'trance', suggesting a state of altered consciousness.

as if snapped back to reality

This focuses on the sudden return to reality from a detached state.

FAQs

How can I use "as if from a dream" in a sentence?

You can use "as if from a dream" to describe something that feels surreal or detached from reality. For example, "The vibrant colors of the sunset appeared "as if from a dream"."

What phrases are similar to "as if from a dream"?

Similar phrases include "like waking from a dream", "as in a dream", or "reminiscent of a dream", each conveying a sense of unreality or detachment.

Is it correct to say "as though from a dream" instead of "as if from a dream"?

Yes, "as though from a dream" is a grammatically correct and semantically similar alternative to "as if from a dream". The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

When should I not use the phrase "as if from a dream"?

Avoid using "as if from a dream" when literally describing events within a dream. It is best used metaphorically to describe waking experiences that feel surreal or detached, not the content of actual dreams.