What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hindsight
Example
In hindsight, I should have studied more for the exam. [hindsight: noun]
Example
With hindsight, we can see that investing in that company was a bad decision. [hindsight: noun]
retrospect
Example
In retrospect, I should have taken that job offer. [retrospect: noun]
Example
Retrospectively, we can see that our team made some mistakes during the project. [retrospectively: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Retrospect is more commonly used than hindsight in everyday language. Retrospect is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hindsight is less common and tends to be used in more informal settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between hindsight and retrospect?
Retrospect is more formal than hindsight, making it suitable for use in both formal and informal contexts. Hindsight is more informal and is typically used in casual conversations or writing.
