never dreamt of

USAGE SUMMARY

"never dreamt of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It's usually used to talk about something that was not expected or anticipated. For example: "I never dreamt of becoming a millionaire when I was growing up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

I am from a small village in Germany and never dreamt of becoming an international journalist.

The Guardian

But the Vibe, if you believe Pontiac, is an entirely new idea, one never dreamt of by any carmaker anywhere.

Forbes

"I never dreamt of such a day.

The Guardian - Sport

She could take me places I'd never dreamt of".

The New York Times

When I was little, I never dreamt of getting awards.

The Guardian - Film

Already, advances in A.I. have created risks that we never dreamt of.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Never mind, the campaign trail is rich in emotions, surprises, never-dreamt-of events and - yes, wisdom.

Huffington Post

This is something I would never have dreamt of".

The Guardian

"I would never have dreamt of going into an office and touching somebody up.

The Guardian

They would never have dreamt of it in face-to-face encounters, but electronic communications are a different matter.

The Economist

"There is some great stuff out there – including films that I would never have dreamt of seeing otherwise.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "never dreamt of" to express genuine surprise or disbelief about an outcome or situation, highlighting the unexpected nature of events.

Common error

While "never dreamt of" is widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "never anticipated" or "never envisioned" in academic or professional writing to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never dreamt of" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used to express surprise, disbelief, or the unexpected nature of an event or achievement. It indicates that something was not anticipated or imagined. Ludwig examples highlight this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "never dreamt of" is a common and generally acceptable way to express surprise or disbelief about something that was unexpected. Ludwig's analysis confirms it is grammatically correct. While suitable for many contexts, more formal alternatives might be preferred in professional or academic writing. It is most frequently encountered in news and media sources. Remember to use this phrase to convey a genuine sense of wonder and surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never imagined

Focuses on a lack of prior mental imagery or anticipation.

never anticipated

Highlights the absence of expectation or foresight.

never envisioned

Emphasizes a lack of visual foresight or planning.

never conceived of

Stresses the absence of an initial idea or concept.

never thought possible

Indicates a belief that something was unattainable or unachievable.

never believed could happen

Highlights disbelief in the potential for an event to occur.

couldn't have foreseen

Focuses on the inability to predict a future event.

beyond my wildest dreams

Suggests an outcome exceeding even the most fanciful expectations.

unfathomable

Highlights the difficulty in understanding something.

unforeseeable

Indicates something that could not have been predicted.

FAQs

What does "never dreamt of" mean?

The phrase "never dreamt of" expresses surprise or disbelief about something that has happened, indicating it was completely unexpected or beyond one's imagination.

How can I use "never dreamt of" in a sentence?

You can use "never dreamt of" to describe a situation or achievement that you never thought possible. For example, "I "never dreamt of" winning the lottery."

What are some alternatives to "never dreamt of"?

Alternatives include "never imagined", "never anticipated", or "beyond my wildest dreams", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "never dreamt of" formal or informal?

The phrase "never dreamt of" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "never envisioned" or "never conceived of".