could dream of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could dream of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate something that is beyond imagination, something that could not have been expected or foreseen. For example, "The success he achieved was far beyond what he could dream of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Competitors have "every crafting tool they could dream of".

The New Yorker

Only a triple threat could dream of unseating Abe.

The New York Times

"It's everything a biotech company could dream of".

The New York Times

AS Americans, we've been raised on the notion that any child could dream of becoming president.

The New York Times

But Thursday, at the start of the postseason, Johnson could dream of the best outcome.

The New York Times - Sports

You wouldn't even dream that you could dream of a moment like this".

The New York Times

It was so beyond anything I could imagine, the most romantic thing anyone could dream of".

The New York Times

It's a landscape every bit as awash with colour and legend as you could dream of.

The Guardian - Travel

"If the glass really is half full I could dream of getting all 20".

The Guardian - Sport

If you could dream of a faraway place, Pan Am could get you there.

The New York Times

"If a boy could dream of golden fields, full of lilacs, tulips, marigolds . .

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could dream of", ensure the context clearly establishes a comparison between reality and an imagined ideal.

Common error

Avoid using "could dream of" to simply describe the content of a dream. This phrase is best used to illustrate something exceeding expectations, not just what someone dreamt about.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could dream of" functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe something that surpasses one's expectations or aspirations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes something beyond imagination. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in contexts of achievement and desirability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could dream of" is a versatile expression used to convey that something exceeds expectations, often implying a sense of wonder or aspiration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, this phrase functions as a verb phrase, highlighting positive outcomes that surpass initial hopes. To ensure correct usage, avoid using it merely to describe dream content; instead, emphasize the exceeding of expectations. Alternatives such as "might aspire to" or "can only imagine" offer nuanced variations, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might envision

Focuses on visualizing a future scenario, without the emotional aspect of dreaming.

might aspire to

Focuses on having ambitions towards something, rather than the limit of imagination.

could conceive of

Highlights the mental creation or understanding of something, more formal.

could only wish for

Implies a sense of longing and desire, often for something unattainable.

can only imagine

Highlights the limit of understanding or experience, not necessarily achievement.

might fantasize about

Suggests a more elaborate and potentially unrealistic imagining.

might hope for

Emphasizes the feeling of hope rather than the act of dreaming or imagining.

can picture

Focuses on creating a mental image, often of something real or possible.

might think of

Refers to a general consideration or idea, not necessarily a deep aspiration.

could anticipate

Highlights expecting something to happen, lacking the imaginative aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "could dream of" in a sentence?

The phrase "could dream of" is used to describe something that is better or more successful than one might have imagined or hoped for. For example, "She achieved a success that she "could dream of"".

What are some alternatives to "could dream of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "might aspire to", "can only imagine", or "might envision". Each carries a slightly different nuance related to aspiration, limitation, and visualization.

Is it correct to say "can dream of" instead of "could dream of"?

While "can dream of" is grammatically correct, "could dream of" often implies a higher degree of improbability or aspiration. "Can dream of" simply means it's possible to imagine, whereas "could dream of" suggests it's almost too good to be true.

What's the difference between "could dream of" and "could only wish for"?

"Could dream of" suggests an outcome that surpasses expectations, whereas "could only wish for" implies a desire for something that is likely unattainable. The former is more about exceeding hopes, while the latter is about longing.