vain dream

USAGE SUMMARY

"vain dream" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a wish or hope that is unlikely or impossible to achieve. For example, "Her vain dream of becoming a famous actress quickly faded when she didn't land any acting jobs after college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And then the tsunami seemed to wash away the last vain dream of the 20th century: the nuclear answer.

The New York Times

But even Catton, a Grant partisan, concluded that for Hood to "head for the Ohio was a vain dream".

The New York Times

But as the historian Bruce Catton concluded, for Hood "to swing past [Thomas] and head for the Ohio was a vain dream".

The New York Times

"The whole night long we dream of thee, and waking think we are there, –/ Vain dream, and foolish waking, we never shall see Clare".

The Guardian - Books

We are compelled to accept the view expressed some years ago by Dr Taussig that "the interests involved in tariff-making are so powerful, and can exert such influence on the party in power, that disinterested and non-partisan administration of the flexible provisions is a vain dream".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

If the ideologies of American business and consumerism can be imagined as the slow poison that asphyxiates our fantasies of heroic self-fulfillment, they can also -- if anything, more plausibly -- be viewed as the oxygen that feeds such vague, vain dreams as George and Teddy Babbitt's.

The New York Times

As Thoreau put it, "It is in vain to dream of a wilderness distant from ourselves".

The New York Times - Books

It is therefore vain to dream of a value-free historiography or one free of any causal inferences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many artists who have outsold him a thousandfold will dream in vain of affecting the music a thousandth as much.

Independent

The last song on "Nothing's in Vain" is called "Africa, Dream Again," in English and Wolof.

The New York Times - Arts

Do not tell me that the people in the streets of Bangkok and Bishkek and Tehran dream in vain of freedom and democracy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vain dream" when you want to emphasize the futility or unlikelihood of achieving a particular aspiration. It adds a sense of wistful resignation or ironic awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "vain dream" when you simply mean a 'big' or 'ambitious' dream. "Vain" implies futility, so ensure that this negative connotation is intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vain dream" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "vain" modifies the noun "dream". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Books

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vain dream" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an aspiration that is unlikely to be realized. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While its frequency is rare, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. The phrase conveys a sense of futility and is best used when emphasizing the unlikelihood of a dream coming true. Related phrases include "empty dream" and "futile hope". When using this phrase, ensure you intend to convey its connotation of unattainability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empty dream

Emphasizes the lack of substance or fulfillment in the dream.

futile hope

Highlights the uselessness and lack of success associated with the hope.

pipe dream

Refers to a fantastical and unrealistic plan or hope.

illusory aspiration

Focuses on the deceptive and unreal nature of the aspiration.

unrealistic ambition

Stresses the impracticality and lack of feasibility of the ambition.

delusional fantasy

Suggests a detachment from reality and a belief in something impossible.

groundless hope

Indicates a lack of foundation or reason for the hope.

baseless aspiration

Similar to groundless hope, highlighting the lack of support for the aspiration.

chimerical scheme

Implies an unreal and fanciful plan that is impossible to achieve.

illusory hope

Similar to illusory aspiration, focusing on the deceptive nature of the hope.

FAQs

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

You can use "vain dream" to describe a goal or aspiration that is unlikely to be achieved. For example, "His "vain dream" of winning the lottery kept him buying tickets every week."

What's a good alternative to "vain dream"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "empty dream", "futile hope", or "pipe dream" can be used.

Is "vain dream" a commonly used phrase?

While grammatically correct, "vain dream" is not as common as other similar phrases like "pipe dream". Its use adds a slightly more literary or formal tone.

What's the difference between "vain dream" and "ambitious dream"?

"Vain dream" implies a dream that is ultimately futile or unrealizable, while "ambitious dream" simply describes a dream that is grand or challenging to achieve. The key difference lies in the likelihood of success.