Phrasal verb
dream of
Definition
phrasal verb. to think about something you really want to happen in the future.
phrasal verb. to contemplate a desired future state or ambition; often used in the progressive aspect to indicate a persistent aspiration.
Examples
“I dream of living by the sea one day.”
“Many young athletes dream of winning an Olympic gold medal for their country.”
“While working in the factory, he would often dream of escaping his mundane reality to pursue a career in the arts.”
Examples
simple
“I dream of living by the sea one day.”
contextual
“Many young athletes dream of winning an Olympic gold medal for their country.”
complex
“While working in the factory, he would often dream of escaping his mundane reality to pursue a career in the arts.”
Usage
usually followed by a noun or a verb ending in -ing.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'dream about', which usually refers to images seen while sleeping, whereas 'dream of' typically refers to conscious ambitions.
Pitfall
I dream of to become a doctor.
I dream of becoming a doctor.
the preposition 'of' must be followed by a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive.
Phrasal verb
Particles
of
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
dream + of + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/dream-of