ENGLISH
REFERENCE

prospective

adj.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //pɹəˈspɛktɪv// UK //pɹəspˈɛktɪv// prospec·tive Archaic Informal

adj. likely to happen or become something in the future. You use this to describe people who might soon be your customers, students, or partners.

adj. likely to be or become something specified in the future; expected or potential. Attributive in use — almost exclusively precedes the noun it modifies.


SIMPLE

The college holds an open day for prospective students.

CONTEXTUAL

The real estate agent spent the afternoon showing the house to three prospective buyers.

COMPLEX

Before signing the contract, the firm conducted a thorough background check on all prospective partners to ensure their financial histories were compatible with the new venture's goals.

Antonyms
Origin

From Middle French prospectif, from Late Latin prospectivus. See more at English prospect.

Usage

Typically placed before the noun it modifies; rarely used as a predicative adjective after a verb like 'be'.

Pitfall

The buyers are prospective.They are prospective buyers.Prospective is an attributive adjective; it must sit before a noun rather than standing alone after a linking verb.

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