long time dream

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long time dream" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a goal or aspiration that has been in the back of your mind for a long time. For example, "After years of hard work, I was able to accomplish my long time dream of owning my own business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"It's a long time dream come true".

The New York Times

He told Australian Channel Seven: "I'm hoping to go car racing, it's been a long time dream of mine.

BBC

I knew you had worked really hard to finish law school (a long time dream).

Huffington Post

Before ending the post with a "nice to meet you," the 49-year-old revealed that attending the Oscars has been a long time dream of hers. .

Huffington Post

I recently discovered that some people, whose names are not Peter Pan, have actually gone and realized their long time dream of buying a tropical island, making tranquility and sunshine their everyday reality.

Huffington Post

My strongest supporter has been my mother who is seventy four years of age and all she wants is to see one of my films on the big screen and for me to finally accomplish my long time dream of "making movies".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

So much did Confucius admire the achievements of the long-dead Zhougong that he once said: "I must have grown really feeble and old, since I have not for a long time dreamed of seeing Duke Zhou".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Great joy welled up in my heart, and I stayed outside in the damp air for a long time, dreaming of how we could start our life anew someday.

The New Yorker

For Riedl, the Boston storefront is the realization of a long-time dream.

Cornell University

In 2012, Jean took part in the Olympic torch relay and last year she realised her long-time dream of turning on Hull's Christmas lights.

Independent

Take co-director Trey Parker whose biography ends, "It was a long-time dream of Trey's to write a musical for Broadway.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "long time dream", ensure it aligns with the emotional tone of your writing; it often carries a sense of deep personal significance or fulfillment.

Common error

While "long time dream" is acceptable, try to vary your language to keep your writing fresh and engaging. Consider alternatives or add specific details about the dream itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long time dream" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a goal or aspiration that has been cherished or pursued for a significant duration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and understandability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Huffington Post

16%

BBC

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long time dream" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable way to describe an aspiration held for many years. According to Ludwig AI, it's commonly used and correctly conveys its intended meaning. While not excessively frequent, it appears in a variety of sources, particularly within News & Media. For writers, ensure the phrase aligns with the intended emotional tone and consider alternatives to avoid overusing it. Related phrases such as "long held aspiration" or "cherished ambition" can offer fresh perspectives. Remember, as with any expression, context and variation are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long-held aspiration

Replaces "dream" with "aspiration" and emphasizes the duration through "long-held".

cherished ambition

Substitutes "dream" with "ambition", highlighting the personal value attached to the goal.

lifelong goal

Emphasizes the duration of the dream as spanning an entire lifetime.

long-standing desire

Uses "desire" instead of "dream", focusing on the longing for something over time.

dream for many years

Rephrases to emphasize the duration of dreaming rather than a fixed phrase.

long-pursued ambition

Highlights the active effort made towards achieving the ambition over a long period.

abiding aspiration

Replaces "long time" with "abiding", emphasizing the continuous and enduring nature of the aspiration.

perennial dream

Uses "perennial" to suggest that the dream recurs or lasts for a very long time.

long-term vision

Shifts focus to the broader vision held over a long duration.

age-old dream

Implies the dream is not only long-lasting but also potentially shared across generations.

FAQs

How can I use "long time dream" in a sentence?

You can use "long time dream" to describe an aspiration you've held for many years, such as, "Becoming a doctor was my "long time dream", and I finally achieved it after years of study".

What's a more formal alternative to "long time dream"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "longstanding ambition" or "long held aspiration", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly elevated register.

Is it better to say "long time dream" or "long-time dream"?

Both "long time dream" and "long-time dream" are acceptable, but "long-time dream" (with a hyphen) functions as a compound adjective, which is often preferred for clarity. Without the hyphen, "long time" modifies "dream" separately.

What's the difference between a "long time dream" and a "childhood dream"?

While both describe aspirations, a "childhood dream" specifically refers to a dream originating in childhood, whereas a "long time dream" simply indicates a dream held for an extended period, regardless of when it originated.