What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prospective
Example
The prospective buyer is interested in purchasing the house. [prospective: adjective]
Example
She is a prospective student at the university. [prospective: adjective]
future
Example
I am excited to see what the future holds. [future: noun]
Example
We need to plan for our future retirement. [future: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Future is a more common word than prospective in everyday language. Future is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while prospective is less common and is typically used in formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prospective and future?
Prospective is generally considered a more formal word than future. It is often used in legal, business, or academic contexts to refer to potential or expected outcomes.
