keep dreaming

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep dreaming" is a correct and usable phrase in written English and can be used when someone wants to motivate someone else to continue to strive for a goal or to reach a desired outcome.
Example: No matter how hard the challenge is, keep dreaming and never give up!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Keep dreaming, keep dreaming.

The New York Times - Magazine

Keep dreaming.

The New York Times - Sports

Keep dreaming, Gasheads.

The Economist

Keep dreaming, ace.

The New Yorker

"They should keep dreaming.

The Guardian - Sport

Why not keep dreaming?

The New Yorker

Yet we keep dreaming.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

But she keeps dreaming, keeps fighting, anyway.

The New York Times

I kept dreaming like that for several days".

The Guardian

Despite that, he keeps dreaming of having more land.

The Guardian

That Krazy keeps dreaming of love, even when faced with an absurd, cruel world, is endearing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep dreaming" to encourage someone to maintain hope and continue pursuing their goals, especially when facing challenges or setbacks.

Common error

While "keep dreaming" is generally acceptable, it might be too informal for professional or academic writing. In such settings, consider using more formal alternatives like "continue to aspire" or "maintain hope."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep dreaming" primarily functions as an imperative, urging someone to continue having dreams and aspirations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, illustrating its function in encouraging hope and ambition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep dreaming" is a common and generally correct expression used to encourage continued hope and aspiration. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is 'Correct'. While predominantly found in news, sports and lifestyle contexts, its informal tone makes it less suitable for formal writing. When a more formal approach is needed, alternatives like "continue to aspire" or "maintain hope" can be used. However, in casual conversation, "keep dreaming" serves as a useful way to inspire persistence or, depending on context, to express playful skepticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dream on

An expression indicating disbelief or skepticism about someone's aspirations.

in your dreams

A sarcastic way of saying something is unlikely to happen.

don't give up on your dreams

Emphasizes perseverance and maintaining hope for desired outcomes.

continue to aspire

Focuses on the act of aspiring, suggesting ongoing effort toward a goal.

maintain hope

Highlights the importance of sustaining a positive outlook.

hold onto your vision

Focuses on preserving and valuing one's personal vision or goals.

sustain your ambition

Highlights the need to nurture and grow one's ambition.

that's highly improbable

Highlights a low chance of something happening.

wishful thinking

Implies that a desire is unrealistic or unlikely to be fulfilled.

fat chance

An informal way of saying there is very little possibility of something happening.

FAQs

What does "keep dreaming" mean?

"Keep dreaming" means to continue having hopes and aspirations, even if they seem unrealistic or difficult to achieve. It can be used to encourage someone to not give up on their goals.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "keep dreaming"?

It's appropriate to use "keep dreaming" in informal contexts to encourage someone or, sometimes sarcastically, to express doubt about the feasibility of their dreams. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings where a more serious tone is required.

What can I say instead of "keep dreaming" to sound more formal?

In more formal situations, you can use phrases such as "continue to aspire", "maintain hope", or "persevere in your vision".

Is "keep dreaming" always positive, or can it be used negatively?

While often used to encourage, "keep dreaming" can also be used sarcastically to imply that someone's aspirations are unrealistic. The context and tone of voice are crucial in determining its intended meaning.