Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner1]

Hello,

It took him a long time to make his dream come true.

Can I rewrite the sentence with 'fulfill' or 'realize' as in

It took him a long time to realize his dream.

It took him a long time to fulfill his dream.

Could you tell me their subtle difference among 'realize his dream, 'fulfill his dream' and 'make his dream come true'?

Thank you very much.

[Suzanne]

Hello!

All three are good choices. "Realize his dream" is probably the least used in English, but it is still okay. Most people would use "make his dream come true" or "fulfill his dream."

Good question!

[learner1]

Hello Suzanne,

Thanks a lot!!

Can I use 'make... come true'or 'realize' in the example below instead of 'fulfill'?

Being deaf hasn't stopped Karen fulfilling her ambition to be a hairdresser.

1.Being deaf hasn't stopped Karen realizing her ambition to be a hairdresser.

2.Being deaf hasn't stopped Karen making her ambition to be a hairdresser come true.
(Does this sound natural?)

Thanks for the help.

[Suzanne]

Hello!

I like "fulfill" better than "realize"--it's more natural.
Sentence #1 is fine, but sentence #2 is awkward.

I hope this helps.

[learner1]

[learner1]

Hello,

Is anyone willing to answer my questions?

[Suzanne]

Hi--sorry, I didn't see your questions.
I don't think "come true" is right for any of these sentences. We really just use it when talking about dreams coming true.

I'll make some suggestions for each of your sentences.

1.It took him a long time to make his ambition come true.
It took him a long time to realize his ambition.
It took him a long time to achieve his ambition.
2.It took him a long time to make his hope come true.
I wouldn't use this sentence at all. "Hope" doesn't quite fit here.
3.It took him a long time to make his goal/aim come true.
It took him a long time to reach his goal.
It took him a long time to achieve his goal.
It took him a long time to attain his goal.
[/i]

[learner1]

Hello Suzanne,

Thank you very much for answering my qustions again.

Could you please check if these sentences sound right?

1.Being deaf hasn't stopped Karen making her dream to be a hairdresser come true.

2.Being deaf hasn't stopped Karen making her dream of being a hairdresser come true.

[Suzanne]

Hi,

I think both sentences are fine--native speakers would say them either way. The only thing I would change is to add "from" to each of them:

1.Being deaf hasn't stopped Karen from making her dream to be a hairdresser come true.

2.Being deaf hasn't stopped Karen from making her dream of being a hairdresser come true.

Have a good weekend!

[learner1]

Hello Suzanne,

You have been so helpful, thank you very much.

Have a nice weekend!