mere dream

USAGE SUMMARY

"mere dream" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a dream or idea that is insignificant or unrealistic. Example: "His plans for becoming a millionaire overnight were just a mere dream."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Marclay has turned the apparent crux of "The Clock" into a mere dream.

The New Yorker

Five figure salaries are very rare, the six and seven figure wages of top stars a mere dream.

The New York Times - Sports

In Bozon's view, the integration, in France, of Christians and Muslims is no mere dream but an inescapable and unexceptional fact.

The New Yorker

For Thuram, the prospect of a second World Cup final is now reality as opposed to just a mere dream after he came out of international retirement.

The Guardian - Sport

Supposedly the archbishop fumbled with the Crown but Lang himself was fully satisfied: "I can only be thankful to God's over-ruling Providence and trust that the Coronation may not be a mere dream of the past, but that its memories and lessons will not be forgotten".

Wikipedia

The advent of Radical Reconstruction in 1867 enabled Knight and his black allies to build a movement that made a new dawning of freedom – emancipation, citizenship, political rights, access to land and economic independence – more of a reality than a mere dream.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

For Dr. Kim, figuring out which rumors are real and which are mere dreams is the fun part.

The New York Times - Tech

Soon, we tired of something as ephemeral as mere dreams, and we started making blueprints for the houses we were sure to live in one day with our beloveds.

The New York Times

It would also like to see housing for the rich, not-so-rich and poor mixed together and, not least, a centralised, efficient sewerage system.These aims were mere dreams until two years ago, when some of the older suburbs joined forces to wrest control of sewerage and transport financing from the state government.

The Economist

There is interestingly little, in the ways in which interviewees retell their earlier migrant experience, of aspirations as mere "dreams of fantasy" out of touch with reality.

Comparative Migration Studies

There's the common anecdote of turning a nightmare about falling into a heroic story about flying through the skies, but regularly controlling your dreams in all their logic-less glory has always been a mere pipe dream.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mere dream", consider contrasting it with reality or a concrete plan to emphasize the difference between fantasy and practicality.

Common error

Avoid using "mere dream" excessively in formal or professional contexts. While appropriate in some situations, overuse can make your writing sound dismissive or overly critical. Opt for more objective language when assessing potential outcomes or aspirations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere dream" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a predicate nominative or an object of a preposition. It diminishes the significance or possibility of an aspiration or idea. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mere dream" is a noun phrase used to describe an aspiration or idea that is unlikely to happen or is considered insignificant. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correctly used in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When writing, it’s important to consider the formality of the context and whether a more objective phrase would be more appropriate. Alternatives to "mere dream" include "just a fantasy" and "simply wishful thinking". Be mindful of overusing this phrase in formal writing to avoid sounding overly dismissive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nothing but a pipedream

Emphasizes the unachievability of the dream.

just a fantasy

Focuses on the imaginative and unrealistic aspect.

only an illusion

Emphasizes the deceptive nature of the dream.

sheer fantasy

Emphasizes the fanciful nature of the dream.

simply wishful thinking

Highlights the desire and lack of practicality.

purely imaginary

Stresses the lack of real-world basis.

a figment of imagination

Highlights the dream's origin in the mind.

an unrealistic aspiration

Highlights the impracticality of the goal.

a distant hope

Stresses the remoteness and difficulty of realization.

utopian ideal

Emphasizes the perfection and idealism, often impractical.

FAQs

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

You can use "mere dream" to describe something that is unlikely to happen or is not realistic. For example, "His ambition to travel to Mars is just a mere dream for now.".

What can I say instead of "mere dream"?

You can use alternatives like "just a fantasy", "simply wishful thinking", or "nothing but a pipedream" depending on the context.

Is "mere dream" an appropriate phrase to use in academic writing?

While "mere dream" is grammatically correct, it may sound too informal for academic writing. Consider using more precise and objective language to describe unrealistic ideas or aspirations.

What's the difference between "mere dream" and "pipe dream"?

"Mere dream" emphasizes the insignificance or unreality of the dream, while "pipe dream" specifically suggests an unattainable or unrealistic hope.