come true

USAGE SUMMARY

"come true" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a wish or dream that is realized. For example, "After years of hard work, his dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur finally came true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dreams don't come true".

The New York Times - Magazine

The predictions come true.

The New York Times - Arts

Dreams can come true.

The New York Times - Sports

That dream has come true.

Independent

Her wish had come true!

The New Yorker

"Wishes come true, not free".

The New York Times

That's a dream come true.

The New York Times

"That's when wishes come true".

The New York Times

"Make my dreams come true".

The New York Times

But sometimes dreams come true.

The Economist

It's Malthus's nightmare come true.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come true" to express the realization of hopes, dreams, or predictions. For example, 'Her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor finally came true'.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses when describing when something "come true". For example, instead of saying 'The dream will come true yesterday', say 'The dream came true yesterday'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come true" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a prior expectation, hope, or dream has materialized or been fulfilled. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come true" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe the fulfillment of dreams, wishes, and predictions. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Analysis reveals that "come true" frequently appears in news and media, but also in formal business contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "be realized" or "be fulfilled". Remember to use the correct tense and context to ensure clarity in your writing. Whether you're discussing personal aspirations or analyzing future outcomes, "come true" provides a concise way to express realization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be realized

Focuses on the actualization of a plan or hope, emphasizing the process of becoming real.

be fulfilled

Highlights the satisfaction of meeting a condition or promise, stressing completion.

turn into reality

Emphasizes the transformation from a potential state to an actual state.

materialize

Suggests a tangible realization from an abstract concept.

become a reality

States directly that something has shifted from being a possibility to being real.

be brought to fruition

Implies a careful and nurtured development leading to successful completion.

be accomplished

Highlights the achievement aspect, indicating that something has been successfully completed.

be attained

Focuses on the effort and process required to reach a goal or outcome.

be achieved

Similar to 'be accomplished', but with a slightly broader implication of success.

be actualized

Emphasizes the full potential or complete expression of something.

FAQs

How can I use "come true" in a sentence?

Use "come true" to describe when a wish, dream, or prediction is realized. For example, "His prediction about the stock market crash came true."

What are some alternatives to "come true"?

You can use alternatives such as "be realized", "be fulfilled", or "become a reality" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "came true" or "come true"?

"Came true" is the past tense form, used for events that have already happened. "Come true" is used in present or future contexts, such as "Dreams do come true" or "I hope my wish will come true".

What's the difference between "come true" and "be realized"?

"Come true" is often used for dreams and wishes, while "be realized" is broader, applicable to plans, hopes, or expectations becoming a reality. For instance, a political goal might "be realized", but a child's fantasy would "come true".