'Perspective' is your point of view; 'prospective' means potential, something that might happen in the future.
"Perspective" is a noun referring to your point of view, your way of seeing things, or the angle from which you observe something.
Traveling really changes your perspective on life.
From my perspective, the plan has too many risks.
Try to see the situation from her perspective before judging.
"Prospective" is an adjective describing something potential or future: a candidate, client, or employee who isn't confirmed yet.
The company invited prospective employees to a group interview.
We sent the brochure to all prospective clients in the region.
The university held an open day for prospective students.
Common mistake
Mixing them up because they sound alike is common, but they mean completely different things: "perspective employees" doesn't make sense (you can't be someone's "point of view"), the correct phrase is "prospective employees" (potential candidates).
Trick to remember it
"Perspective" has "spect" like "spectator", about seeing: it's your way of SEEING things. "Prospective" has "pro-" like "forward", about the future: it's something that might happen IN THE FUTURE.
Quick rule
Is it a point of view, a way of seeing something? "Perspective". Is it something potential, not yet certain? "Prospective".
Did you know?
"Perspective" comes from Latin "perspicere" (to look through, to see clearly), from "per-" (through) + "specere" (to look), the same root as "spectacle" and "inspect". "Prospective" comes from Latin "prospicere" (to look forward), from "pro-" (forward) + "specere" (to look). Both share the root meaning "to look", but one looks THROUGH (to understand) and the other looks AHEAD (toward the future).
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
Working with people from different countries gave her a whole new _____ on things.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The real estate agent showed the house to several _____ buyers over the weekend.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy