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Prepositions after verbs

daydream about, for, in, of or on?

Daydream is usually followed by about or of when talking about imagined situations, wishes, or fantasies. Other prepositions usually belong to separate time or place phrases.

Quick answer

Which prepositions go with daydream?

The most natural combinations are daydream about and daydream of. Use about for general imagined topics and of often for hopes or pleasant fantasies. Daydream for, in, and on are not standard complements after the verb, though in and on may introduce separate details such as place or time.

She spent the lesson daydreaming about her holiday.
He often daydreams of becoming a pilot.
They were daydreaming in class about summer.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
daydream about + topic

Talking about imagined situations

Use about for thoughts, fantasies, or imagined events.

I was daydreaming about life by the sea.
She keeps daydreaming about quitting her job.
2
daydream of + wish

Expressing hopes or pleasant fantasies

Use of for ambitions, desires, or ideal situations.

He daydreams of owning a mountain cabin.
They were daydreaming of a quiet retirement.
3
daydream in + place

Adding location information

In is not selected by daydream itself. It introduces the place where the daydreaming happens.

The students were daydreaming in the library.
She sat daydreaming in her room.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
daydream about
She daydreams about travelling the world.
Standard for imagined topics or situations.
daydream of
He daydreams of becoming famous.
Standard for wishes, ambitions, or ideal images.
daydream for
They daydreamed for hours.
For usually expresses duration, not the object of daydreaming.
daydream in
She was daydreaming in class.
In usually gives location, not the content of the daydream.
daydream on
He daydreamed on the train.
On usually introduces a surface or form of transport, not the imagined topic.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using for after daydream to introduce a topic

For does not normally introduce what someone imagines.

✕ She daydreamed for a new car. ✓ She daydreamed about a new car.

Confusing location with the object of daydreaming

In can describe where the person is, but about or of introduces the fantasy.

✕ He daydreamed in a beach holiday. ✓ He daydreamed about a beach holiday.

Using on for imagined content

On is not a usual complement after daydream.

✕ They daydreamed on success. ✓ They daydreamed of success.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She often daydreams ___ moving abroad.
2. He daydreamed ___ becoming a film director.
3. The children were daydreaming ___ class.

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Frequently asked questions

Is daydream of old-fashioned?

No. Daydream of is still common, especially for hopes and pleasant fantasies.

Can I say daydream about someone?

Yes. You can daydream about a person, place, or situation.

Does daydream on sound natural?

Not usually as a complement after the verb. On normally introduces a separate detail such as transport or position.

dabble, in, dabble, with "damage to" or "damage by"? dance to, with, on, in or for? "dangle from" or "dangle in"? dare to, for, on, as or at? dash to, into, out, from or on? "debate in", "debate on" or "debate with"? deceive by, in, into, on or about? "decide on", "decide to" or "decide by"? declare in, by, on, to or as? decline in, by, from, to or for? decorate with, in, by, for or to?

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