dreamt of

USAGE SUMMARY

"dreamt of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to aspirations, desires, or visions one has while dreaming or in a metaphorical sense. Example: She dreamt of traveling the world one day. Alternative expressions include "dreamed of" and "envisioned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Italy dreamt of controlling the Adriatic.

The Economist

She dreamt of the present".

The New York Times - Books

Our daughter dreamt of magnolias--/That one mammal among.

The New Yorker

He spoke more with Sarkis, & later, dreamt of his father.

The New Yorker

Brasilia's designers, for example, dreamt of a prosperous, mobile society.

The Economist

People have dreamt of immortality since time immemorial.

The Economist

He's always dreamt of playing for the Knicks".

The New York Times - Sports

This is something I would never have dreamt of".

The Guardian

I'd never have dreamt of it".

BBC

We wouldn't have dreamt of that".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Britain got the oft-dreamt-of "white Christmas".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "dreamt of" with the more common "dreamed of" if your audience might not be familiar with the former.

Common error

Ensure you maintain consistency in tense throughout your writing. Avoid switching between "dreamt of" (past tense) and present tense verbs without a clear reason or context shift.

Linguistic Context

Dreamt of functions as a verb phrase indicating a past desire, aspiration, or envisioned scenario. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase describes something that was hoped for or imagined in the past. It often adds a sense of longing or aspiration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dreamt of" is a grammatically correct and widely used verb phrase that expresses a past desire, aspiration, or envisioned scenario. While both "dreamed of" and "dreamt of" are acceptable, "dreamt of" might lend a slightly more archaic or literary tone. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of writing styles. Remember to maintain consistent tense and consider audience familiarity when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dreamed about

Uses the standard past tense form of "dream" instead of the less common "dreamt".

envisioned

Suggests a clear mental image of a future possibility.

fantasized about

Implies a more elaborate and imaginative scenario than simply dreaming.

imagined

A more general term for creating a mental picture.

longed for

Conveys a stronger sense of yearning and desire.

yearned for

Similar to 'longed for', but with a deeper sense of emotional longing.

wished for

Expresses a desire for something, often something unattainable.

aspired to

Indicates a formal and ambitious goal.

set sights on

Indicates a deliberate and focused pursuit of a goal.

had visions of

Implies a more intense and vivid mental experience.

FAQs

What's the difference between "dreamed of" and "dreamt of"?

"Dreamed" and "dreamt" are both past tense and past participle forms of the verb "dream". "Dreamed" is more commonly used, especially in American English, while "dreamt" is more frequent in British English. The meaning remains the same.

What can I say instead of "dreamt of"?

You can use alternatives like "dreamed about", "fantasized about", or "longed for" depending on the context.

How to use "dreamt of" in a sentence?

You can use "dreamt of" to describe aspirations or past desires. For example, "She dreamt of traveling the world one day", or "He had dreamt of becoming a doctor since he was a child".

Which is correct, "dreamed of" or "dreamt of"?

Both "dreamed of" and "dreamt of" are grammatically correct. "Dreamed of" is more commonly used, but "dreamt of" is also acceptable, particularly in British English.