once dreamed of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once dreamed of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was imagined or aspired to in the past. Example: "She once dreamed of becoming a famous artist, but life took her in a different direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Which artist once dreamed of having Brigitte Bardot's nose?

The New Yorker

On Saturday, Rodgers will walk into a stadium he once dreamed of playing in.

The New York Times - Sports

It's the kind of operation you probably once dreamed of building in your parents' garage.

The New Yorker

Some, who once dreamed of a better future, have simply given up.

The Guardian

Graham Greene once dreamed of a newspaper headline reading "John Paul canonises Jesus Christ".

The Guardian

Yang says he aspired to be a bodybuilder and once dreamed of owning his own gym.

The New York Times - Sports

Tamuna, who once dreamed of becoming a professional dancer, was married at fifteen.

The New Yorker

He'd once dreamed of owning jewels, especially rubies, and that dream was coming back.

The New Yorker

NEW ORLEANS -- Baylor once dreamed of making the N.C.A.A. tournament with the sensational freshman point guard John Wall.

The New York Times

Carolyn, a regal beauty with a dignified bearing, had once dreamed of becoming the next Dorothy Dandridge.

The New Yorker

Swanson once dreamed of owning every kind of toothbrush in existence, but ended up stockpiling only a few hundred.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once dreamed of" to describe a specific ambition or goal that someone had in the past but no longer pursues or considers attainable. It adds a touch of wistful reflection.

Common error

Avoid using "once dreamed of" to describe current aspirations. This phrase is specifically for past desires; use "dreams of" for present ambitions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once dreamed of" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past aspiration or ambition. It's typically followed by a noun, gerund, or infinitive phrase describing the specific desire. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its proper use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "once dreamed of" effectively conveys a past aspiration that is no longer a current pursuit. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and provides ample examples from news and media sources. The phrase is suitable for general use, especially when discussing changes in life goals or reflecting on past ambitions. While alternatives like "formerly aspired to" exist, "once dreamed of" offers a balance of formality and emotional resonance. When using this phrase, ensure the tense is correct and that the context aligns with past, rather than present, desires.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a dream of

Shortens the original phrase, retaining the core meaning of a past aspiration.

formerly aspired to

Emphasizes a formal desire or ambition held in the past, suggesting a professional or serious goal.

used to aspire to

Highlights a past ambition that was a regular or habitual desire.

had ambitions for

Highlights past objectives and goals.

had once hoped for

Focuses on a feeling of hope associated with a past desire, implying a sense of longing or wishful thinking.

envisioned in the past

Highlights the act of visualizing or imagining a desired outcome in the past.

previously imagined

Highlights a mental image of a desired state or outcome in the past.

longed for in the past

Emphasizes a deep and emotional desire experienced at some point in the past.

once yearned for

Implies a strong and persistent longing in the past, suggesting a heartfelt desire.

at one time wished for

Indicates that the desire was specific to a particular period.

FAQs

How can I use "once dreamed of" in a sentence?

Use "once dreamed of" to describe a past aspiration or ambition someone no longer actively pursues. For example, "She "once dreamed of" becoming a ballerina, but now works as an accountant".

What's a good alternative to "once dreamed of"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "formerly aspired to", "used to aspire to", or "had a dream of". Each subtly shifts the emphasis.

Is it correct to say "I once dreamed of will happen"?

No, that phrasing is grammatically incorrect. "Once dreamed of" needs a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing) after "of". A correct version would be, "I "once dreamed of" becoming a doctor."

What is the difference between "once dreamed of" and "still dreams of"?

"Once dreamed of" refers to a past ambition that is no longer actively pursued, while "still dreams of" indicates a current, ongoing aspiration. The former implies a shift in focus or circumstances.