What Does “Dream of sth doing sth” Mean?
“Dream of sth doing sth” means to imagine or hope for something happening or being done. It often expresses desires or future possibilities in a vivid way.
Introduction
The phrase “Dream of sth doing sth” is a useful expression in English that combines the idea of dreaming or imagining with an action or event. The “sth” stands for “something,” and the phrase is used when you want to talk about picturing or hoping that something is performing an action. For example, you might say, “I dream of the city growing faster,” meaning you imagine or hope the city will grow quickly. Understanding the dream of sth doing sth meaning helps learners express their wishes and thoughts about situations clearly and naturally.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Dream of sth doing sth (Dream of something doing something)
- Type: Transitive (requires an object)
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To imagine or hope that something is doing something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
The phrase “dream of sth doing sth” is inseparable, meaning you cannot split the phrase between “dream” and “of.” The typical structure is:
- Subject + dream of + something + verb-ing
- Example: She dreams of her company expanding internationally.
The verb after “of” is always in the -ing form (gerund) because it follows a preposition.
How to Use “Dream of sth doing sth”?
Use “dream of sth doing sth” when you want to express an imagined or hoped-for situation involving an object performing an action. It is common in both spoken and written English to describe desires, plans, or visions for the future. Remember to use the gerund (-ing form) after “of” to keep the sentence grammatically correct.
Examples
Here are some examples showing how to use “dream of sth doing sth in a sentence” naturally:
- Many people dream of their children achieving great success.
- He dreams of the city becoming a global hub for technology.
- We all dream of our homes standing strong through storms.
- She dreams of the garden blooming beautifully every spring.
- The team dreams of the project reaching millions of users.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the structure or use incorrect verb forms after “dream of.” Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: I dream of my car will work perfectly.
- Correct: I dream of my car working perfectly.
- Incorrect: She dreams of the company expand quickly.
- Correct: She dreams of the company expanding quickly.
Remember, always use the gerund form (-ing) after “of.”
Differences / Synonyms
Similar expressions include “hope for sth to do sth” or “imagine sth doing sth,” but they differ slightly:
- Dream of sth doing sth – focuses on a strong wish or imagination, often idealistic.
- Hope for sth to do sth – expresses a realistic expectation or desire.
- Imagine sth doing sth – refers to picturing or visualizing something.
For example, “I dream of the company growing fast” suggests a strong wish, while “I hope for the company to grow fast” sounds more practical.
Common Collocations
Here are common objects used with “dream of sth doing sth” and their meanings:
- Children doing well – wishing for success in children
- City growing – imagining or hoping for urban development
- Business expanding – hoping the business gets bigger
- Garden blooming – picturing flowers growing beautifully
- Project succeeding – hoping the project achieves its goals
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of dream of sth doing sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “dream of sth doing sth”:
Anna: I really dream of my bakery becoming famous one day.
Ben: That’s a great goal! I dream of my garden growing lots of vegetables this year.
Anna: Yes, it’s exciting to imagine something doing well because of your hard work.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb:
- She dreams of her art __________ (sell) worldwide.
- They dream of the team __________ (win) the championship.
- I dream of my house __________ (stand) by the sea.
Answers:
- selling
- winning
- standing
FAQs
- Q: Can “dream of sth doing sth” be used in the past tense?
A: Yes, for example, “She dreamed of the city growing faster.” - Q: Is “sth” always a noun in this phrase?
A: Yes, “sth” stands for “something,” usually a noun or noun phrase. - Q: Can I use an infinitive after “dream of”?
A: No, always use the gerund (-ing form) after “of.” - Q: Is this phrase formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
