had a dream

USAGE SUMMARY

"had a dream" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to imply that someone had a dream or vision, either literal or figurative. For example, "His father had a dream that he would one day become a successful doctor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I had a dream again.

The New Yorker

"I've had a dream life".

The New York Times

She had a dream.

The New York Times - Magazine

He had a dream.

The New York Times

We had a dream: escape Olympic congestion!

Independent

He also had a dream.

The New York Times

Mr. Farr had a dream.

The New York Times - Food

Imagine you had a dream one night.

The Guardian - Books

"I had a dream week," Grosjean said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I had a dream," he declares.

The New Yorker

Ashton had had a dream about it.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had a dream" to express a past aspiration, goal, or vision, whether literal (a dream during sleep) or figurative (a life goal).

Common error

Avoid using "had a dream" when referring to an ongoing or current goal. Instead, use "have a dream" to indicate a present ambition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a dream" typically functions as a verb phrase, where "had" is the main verb in the past tense and "a dream" is the direct object. As Ludwig AI correctly suggests, this indicates the possession of a dream, either literal or figurative. The examples provided showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had a dream" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a past aspiration, goal, or vision, whether in a literal or figurative sense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. Its versatility allows it to convey both personal and societal ambitions, as evidenced by the numerous examples provided. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, context is key to determining its specific meaning and register. Remember to use "have a dream" for present aspirations and "had a dream" when referring to a goal you once held. While many reliable sources employ this phrase, some good alternatives are: "possessed a vision", "cherished an ambition", or "entertained an aspiration".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possessed a vision

Uses "possessed" instead of "had", emphasizing the personal ownership of the dream.

carried a vision

Uses "carried" instead of "had", emphasizing the portability of the dream.

cherished an ambition

Replaces "dream" with "ambition", focusing on a strong desire for achievement.

fostered a hope

Uses "fostered" instead of "had", emphasizing the care and development of the dream.

entertained an aspiration

Employs "entertained" to suggest the dream was considered or held in mind.

nurtured a hope

Substitutes "dream" with "hope", indicating a positive expectation or wish.

cultivated an ambition

Uses "cultivated" instead of "had", emphasizing the effort to develop the ambition.

conceived a plan

Shifts the focus to the formation of a strategy or idea, moving away from the abstract nature of a dream.

imagined a possibility

Emphasizes the potential or likelihood of something occurring, rather than the dream itself.

harbored an ideal

Replaces "dream" with "ideal", focusing on a perfect or exemplary standard.

FAQs

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

Use "had a dream" to describe a past aspiration or vision, such as "Martin Luther King Jr. "had a dream" for racial equality".

What's a good alternative to "had a dream"?

Alternatives include "possessed a vision", "cherished an ambition", or "entertained an aspiration" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have a dream" instead of "had a dream"?

Yes, but they have different meanings. "Have a dream" refers to a current aspiration, while "had a dream" refers to a past one. Context determines which is appropriate.

Can "had a dream" refer to both a literal dream and a figurative goal?

Yes, "had a dream" can refer to a dream experienced during sleep or a metaphorical dream representing a life goal or aspiration.