Perspective vs Prospective: Which One Do You Need?
Perspective is a point of view. Prospective means expected or potential.
From her perspective. A prospective buyer.
The test that settles it
Only one is a noun. If you can put a in front and it stands alone, it is perspective.
“a fresh ___” → a thing, so perspective.
“a ___ candidate” → describing the candidate, so prospective.
Perspective: a point of view
A noun. The angle from which something is seen — literally in drawing, figuratively in argument. Also a sense of proportion: keeping things in perspective.
It looks different from his perspective.
A historical perspective on the crisis.
Try to keep it in perspective.
Swap in viewpoint. If it works, perspective.
Prospective: expected, potential
An adjective. It describes someone or something likely to become what is named — a prospective tenant is not yet a tenant.
Prospective students visited the campus.
A prospective deal fell through.
They interviewed prospective partners.
Swap in potential. If it works, prospective.
Side by side
| Perspective | Prospective |
|---|---|
| A point of view | Potential |
| Noun | Adjective |
| Prefix per-, through | Prefix pro-, forward |
| A new perspective | A prospective tenant |
The exception
In research, a prospective study follows people forward in time and a retrospective one looks back at existing records. Both are technical terms and neither has anything to do with viewpoint.
Where people get it wrong
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| a prospective on the problem | a perspective on the problem | A viewpoint. |
| perspective employers | prospective employers | Potential ones. |
| from a legal prospective | from a legal perspective | A point of view. |
| prospective drawing | perspective drawing | The technique for depicting depth. |
Practice — choose the right word, then check yourself.
- ___ buyers are viewing on Saturday.
- That gives us a useful ___.
- From an economic ___, it makes sense.
- She met several ___ clients.
- Keep the setback in ___.
Show the answers
1. Prospective 2. perspective 3. perspective 4. prospective 5. perspective
Frequently asked
Which is the common slip?
Writing prospective for perspective in phrases like from my perspective. The noun test catches it.
What is prospects?
The related noun — the chances of future success: her prospects are good.
More words people confuse
