seems like a fantasy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems like a fantasy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appears to be unrealistic or too good to be true. Example: "Winning the lottery seems like a fantasy, but many people dream of it every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

That kind of environment seems like a fantasy now.

The New York Times - Sports

It seems like a fantasy, in the shadow of the recent violence here.

The New York Times

I think the world of rock seems like a fantasy world.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now even that seems like a fantasy boxing matchup, one in which Mayweather clearly would be favored.

The New York Times - Sports

"Many of these high school kids live under so much duress that a college education seems like a fantasy".

The New York Times

They love their fun-to-pronounce, crazy names and the number of different kinds and the fact that they lived (safely long ago) in a world that seems like a fantasy of outer space.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It seemed like a fantasy.

The New York Times - Sports

For once it didn't seem like a fantasy.

The New Yorker

In a few days, it may seem like a fantasy.

The Guardian - Opinion

But if it's raining, if it's a weekend night, or if you're outside Manhattan, catching a cab can seem like a fantasy.

The New York Times

"Three to five years ago, any discussion of this seemed like a fantasy that may never come true," Mr. Medvedev said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems like a fantasy" to express a sense of disbelief or impossibility, particularly when contrasting it with a harsh reality. For instance, "After years of hardship, a comfortable retirement still "seems like a fantasy" to many".

Common error

Avoid using "seems like a fantasy" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and objective language to maintain a professional tone. For example, instead of saying "the proposed solution "seems like a fantasy"", consider saying "the proposed solution lacks practical feasibility".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems like a fantasy" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing a perception of unreality or improbability. It qualifies a situation or idea as being akin to something imagined rather than something achievable, often implying skepticism.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seems like a fantasy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate something appears unrealistic or improbable. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral contexts and less appropriate for formal or scientific writing. Alternatives such as "appears to be a pipe dream" or "sounds too good to be true" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be a pipe dream

Replaces "fantasy" with "pipe dream", suggesting an unattainable goal or plan.

sounds too good to be true

Focuses on the unbelievable or overly optimistic nature of something.

resembles an illusion

Uses "illusion" instead of "fantasy", implying a deceptive appearance.

is akin to a reverie

Replaces "fantasy" with "reverie", suggesting a dreamy, impractical state.

feels like wishful thinking

Emphasizes the element of desire and unlikelihood.

approximates a delusion

Conveys a stronger sense of unreality and potential mental instability.

borders on the surreal

Highlights the bizarre and dreamlike quality of something.

verges on the improbable

Focuses on the low probability of something happening.

is almost unimaginable

Stresses the difficulty in conceiving or believing something.

seems highly unrealistic

Directly states the lack of realism.

FAQs

How can I use "seems like a fantasy" in a sentence?

You can use "seems like a fantasy" to express that something appears unrealistic or too good to be true. For example: "Winning the lottery "seems like a fantasy", but many people dream of it every day."

What are some alternatives to "seems like a fantasy"?

You can use alternatives like "appears to be a pipe dream", "sounds too good to be true", or "resembles an illusion" depending on the context.

Is "seems like a fantasy" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "seems like a fantasy" may be too informal for some formal writing contexts. Consider using more objective language like "unrealistic" or "implausible".

What does it mean when something "seems like a fantasy"?

When something "seems like a fantasy", it implies that it is highly improbable or exists only in one's imagination. It suggests a disconnect from reality.