even dreamed of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even dreamed of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express something that is so extraordinary or unlikely that one has not even imagined it as a possibility. Example: "I never thought I would win the lottery; I had never even dreamed of such a thing happening to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"[Such rapid growth] was not even dreamed of," he says.

Harvard Business Review

"Seven weeks ago, I never even dreamed of being here.

The Guardian - Sport

For a while she even dreamed of killing Robin.

The Guardian - Arts

"I could not have even dreamed of this five years ago".

The New York Times

But it is struggling to regulate science that was not even dreamed of in 1991.

The Economist

I even dreamed of it, so I decided to do something about it".

The New York Times

Because our players never even dreamed of making it something political.

The Guardian - Sport

Bob Odenkirk has some remarkable tips that will deliver abs you've never even dreamed of.

The New Yorker

The ancient Egyptians and Mayans knew stuff that modern science has never even dreamed of.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They cannot even dream of it".

Independent

Members even dream of Olympic kite fighting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even dreamed of" to highlight the unexpected or surprising nature of a situation or outcome. It adds emphasis when something goes beyond one's expectations or previous understanding.

Common error

While "even dreamed of" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "anticipated" or "envisioned" in academic or professional writing to maintain a higher degree of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even dreamed of" typically functions as part of a verb phrase, often following a negative adverb like "never" or "not". As per Ludwig AI, it is generally used to express disbelief or surprise at an outcome or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even dreamed of" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the unexpected or unimaginable nature of an event or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While primarily found in news and media, it also appears in academic and business settings, though more formal alternatives might be preferable in those contexts. Related phrases include "ever conceived of" and "even imagined", offering similar shades of meaning. While widely employed, it's important to avoid overuse, particularly in overly formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ever conceived of

Replaces "dreamed" with "conceived", emphasizing the mental creation or formation of an idea.

even imagined

Focuses on the act of imagining as opposed to dreaming, suggesting a conscious consideration.

remotely considered

Suggests something was not even slightly considered as a possibility.

vaguely contemplated

Indicates a lack of even a vague thought about something.

could have envisioned

Uses "envisioned" to highlight the ability to see something in one's mind.

have fathomed

Suggests a lack of understanding or comprehension of the possibility.

possibly anticipated

Focuses on the lack of anticipation or expectation.

remotely suspected

Implies that there was no inkling or suspicion of something happening.

began to think about

Replaces "dreamed of" to express the beginning of consideration or thought.

considered for a moment

Emphasizes the absence of even a brief consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "even dreamed of" in a sentence?

You can use "even dreamed of" to emphasize the unexpected nature of an event or outcome. For example, "I never "even dreamed of" winning the lottery" indicates the win was completely beyond your expectations.

What can I say instead of "even dreamed of"?

You can use alternatives like "ever conceived of", "even imagined", or "remotely considered" depending on the context.

What's the nuance between "even dreamed of" and "never imagined"?

"Even dreamed of" suggests something was so far-fetched it never entered your thoughts, while "never imagined" implies it was somewhat conceivable but not realistically anticipated. Use ""even dreamed of"" when highlighting utter impossibility.

Is "even dreamed of" suitable for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "even dreamed of" can sound less formal. In academic or professional contexts, consider alternatives like "possibly anticipated" or "could have envisioned" for a more sophisticated tone.