dubious dream

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dubious dream" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a dream or aspiration that is questionable or not likely to be achieved. Example: "Despite the challenges ahead, she held onto her dubious dream of becoming a famous artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The dubious dream lives on.

The New York Times

I repeatedly watched parents hypnotised by the dubious dream of some sort of intellectual osmosis, passing accomplishment like a cold, from tutor to pupil.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Shortly after waking up one day and announcing his dream to his dubious mom, He is seduced into drug dealing and thrown in prison.

The New York Times

Modern "work" seems to consist of billions of brow-mopping person-hours teeth-gnashingly dreaming up suspiciously dubious benefits (See these jeans? They're going to fix your miserable love life!! See this PowerPoint deck? It's how you're going to take over the world!! See this spreadsheet? It's how we're going to "manage our risk"!!).

Harvard Business Review

Though Essential's smartphone is still on sale, without a clear plan to continue their smartphone line, it's pretty dubious how they'll continue their dream of a unified experience centered around the company's ambient OS.

TechCrunch

Depending on your perspective, this might sound like a dream job or a highly dubious occupation.

The Guardian - Books

(The business of Rachel's inspiration for her research coming to her in a dream is among the more dubious details).

The New York Times

Mr. Mendes, a British film and theater director whose dubious screen achievements include embalming the American dream in "Revolutionary Road," gets Bond just right in a story that first turns on a domestic threat and then on a personal one.

The New York Times

These are great leaps forward in the hydrogen dream, but I am still dubious, as I do not know where the hydrogen will come from.

Forbes

U S West was taken over by Qwest, whose fiber optic dreams have led to crushing debt, dubious accounting and federal investigations.

The New York Times

More intriguing is the dubious report that the Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi dreamed (when Iraqi troops recaptured Tikrit earlier this year) that the Prophet ordered him to withdraw his forces from Mosul.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dubious dream" to express skepticism or uncertainty about the viability or merit of a particular goal or aspiration. It is especially effective when highlighting potential risks or negative consequences associated with pursuing the dream.

Common error

While "dubious dream" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in very formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language that clearly articulates the specific concerns or uncertainties about the aspiration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious dream" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "dubious" modifies the noun "dream". This implies a skeptical or questioning attitude towards the dream. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dubious dream" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies a goal or aspiration viewed with skepticism or uncertainty. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for describing dreams that are questionable or unlikely to materialize. With primary usage in "News & Media", it serves to express doubt about the feasibility or value of a particular aspiration. While not overly formal, it is best to use it in context where a neutral to slightly informal tone is acceptable. Semantically related alternatives include "unrealistic aspiration" and "questionable ambition".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertain aspiration

Similar to 'dubious dream' but replaces 'dubious' with 'uncertain', which softens the tone slightly.

unrealistic aspiration

Emphasizes the lack of practicality or feasibility in achieving the aspiration.

questionable ambition

Highlights the uncertainty or moral ambiguity surrounding the ambition.

far-fetched goal

Stresses the improbability and remoteness of attaining the goal.

implausible fantasy

Focuses on the lack of realism and the imaginary nature of the fantasy.

doubtful prospect

Underlines the uncertainty and low likelihood of success in the prospect.

risky endeavor

Highlights the potential for failure and negative consequences in the endeavor.

tenuous hope

Emphasizes the fragility and instability of the hope.

unfounded optimism

Suggests that the optimism lacks a solid basis or justification.

wishful thinking

Implies a reliance on desires rather than facts or logic.

FAQs

How can I use "dubious dream" in a sentence?

You can use "dubious dream" to describe a goal or aspiration that is questionable or unlikely to be achieved. For example: "Despite the challenges ahead, she held onto her dubious dream of becoming a famous artist."

What are some alternatives to "dubious dream"?

You can use alternatives such as "unrealistic aspiration", "questionable ambition", or "far-fetched goal" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "dubious dream"?

The phrase "dubious dream" is most appropriate when you want to express skepticism or uncertainty about the attainability or value of a particular aspiration. It suggests that the dream may be unrealistic, unwise, or based on flawed premises.

Is "dubious dream" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "dubious dream" leans towards the neutral to slightly informal side. While it can be used in news articles, it may be less suitable for highly formal or academic contexts, where more precise and nuanced language might be preferred.