Potential vs. Prospective: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 26, 2023
Potential refers to the capacity to become or develop into something, while prospective pertains to something expected or likely in the future.
Key Differences
Potential often alludes to an inherent capability or power that has not yet been tapped or realized. It's about what is possible based on existing qualities. Prospective, on the other hand, commonly points toward anticipated events or scenarios, highlighting the forward-looking aspect.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
An individual might have a potential to become a great athlete due to inherent skills and physical attributes. Whereas a prospective athlete would be someone specifically considered or viewed as likely to become an athlete in the near future.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Companies might seek potential markets where their product or service could succeed based on preliminary research. Conversely, a prospective market would be one they've already decided to target next, having identified its future promise.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Potential energy in physics refers to stored energy that has the capacity to do work but isn't doing so currently. Meanwhile, a prospective energy source is one being considered or anticipated for use in the coming years.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
In essence, while potential captures the latent capabilities or possibilities inherent in a situation or entity, prospective underscores the anticipatory or forward-looking nature of a situation or subject.
Harlon Moss
Sep 26, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Temporal Reference
Current yet unrealized capacity
Pertaining to an expected future
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Contexts
Often used in skills, talents, or attributes
Common in planned actions or considerations
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
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Potential and Prospective Definitions
Potential
The capacity to become or develop.
The land has potential for agricultural use.
Harlon Moss
Sep 26, 2023
Prospective
Pertaining to views or actions directed toward the future.
Prospective planning is essential for business growth.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 26, 2023
Potential
A possibility brought about by inherent qualities.
The device's potential as a life-saving tool is undeniable.
Sara Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Prospective
Looking forward in expectation.
The prospective benefits of the merger are vast.
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Sep 26, 2023
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Prospective
Relating to or effective in the future.
A law's prospective application won't affect prior actions.
Sara Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Potential
Descriptive of unrealized but possible achievements.
The young artist has potential to revolutionize the industry.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Prospective
Expected or likely to happen.
The prospective changes to the policy are concerning.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Potential
Capable of being but not yet in existence; latent or undeveloped
A potential problem.
A substance with many potential uses.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Potential
(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being a verbal construction with auxiliaries such as may or can; for example, it may snow.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Potential
The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or future success
An investment with a lot of potential.
A singer who has the potential to become a major star.
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Mar 28, 2023
Prospective
Likely or expected to happen or become.
Prospective students are those who have already applied to the university, but have yet to be admitted.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Potential
The possibility that something might happen or result from given conditions
A tense situation with the potential to turn into a riot.
Farming practices that increase the potential for the erosion of topsoil.
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Mar 28, 2023
Prospective
A study that starts with the present situation and follows participants into the future
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Mar 28, 2023
Prospective
(grammar) Indicating grammatically an activity about to begin.
What some other languages convey with prospective aspect, English conveys with expressions like going to drive the car home.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Potential
Currently unrealized ability (with the most common adposition being to)
Even from a young age it was clear that she had the potential to become a great musician.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Prospective
(obsolete) The scene before or around, in time or in space; view; prospect.
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Mar 28, 2023
Potential
(physics) The gravitational potential: the radial (irrotational, static) component of a gravitational field, also known as the Newtonian potential or the gravitoelectric field.
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Mar 28, 2023
Potential
(physics) The work (energy) required to move a reference particle from a reference location to a specified location in the presence of a force field, for example to bring a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a specified point against an electric field.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Prospective
A prospective (potential) member, student, employee, date, partner, etc.
Would you like to show the prospective around?
I'm meeting the prospectives at 3.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Potential
(grammar) A verbal construction or form stating something is possible or probable.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Prospective
Of or pertaining to a prospect; furnishing a prospect; perspective.
Time's long and dark prospective glass.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Prospective
Looking forward in time; acting with foresight; - opposed to retrospective.
The French king of Sweden are circumspect, industrious, and prospective, too, in this affair.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Prospective
Being within view or consideration, as a future event or contingency; relating to the future: expected; as, a prospective benefit.
Points on which the promises, at the time of ordination, had no prospective bearing.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Potential
(grammar) Referring to a verbal construction of form stating something is possible or probable.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Prospective
Concerned with or related to the future;
Prospective earnings
A prospective mother
The statute is solely prospective in operation
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Mar 28, 2023
Potential
Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Prospective
Anticipated for the near future;
The prospective students
His prospective bride
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Potential
Existing in possibility, not in actuality.
Potential existence means merely that the thing may be at ome time; actual existence, that it now is.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Prospective
A potential candidate for a role or job.
The company interviewed three prospective employees.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Potential
In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates which determine the position of a point, such that its differential coefficients with respect to the coördinates are equal to the components of the force at the point considered; - also called potential function, or force function. It is called also Newtonian potential when the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely as the square of the distance from the center.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Potential
The energy of an electrical charge measured by its power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as referred to some standard, as that of the earth; electro-motive force.
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Mar 28, 2023
Potential
The difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Potential
Existing in possibility;
A potential problem
Possible uses of nuclear power
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Mar 28, 2023
Potential
Expected to become or be; in prospect;
Potential clients
Expected income
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 28, 2023
Potential
Latent capability within a person or thing.
She saw the potential in him to be a leader.
Harlon Moss
Sep 26, 2023
FAQs
Is prospective about the present or the future?
Prospective is forward-looking, so it's about the future.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Is potential energy active?
No, potential energy is stored and not currently doing work.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Can a person have potential in multiple areas?
Yes, someone can have potential in various fields or skills.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Are prospective views always accurate?
No, prospective views are anticipatory and can be subject to change.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Is a prospective event guaranteed to occur?
No, a prospective event is expected but not certain.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Would a prospective buyer have shown interest already?
Yes, a prospective buyer would be someone expected to buy or showing interest.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Can a prospective plan change?
Yes, prospective plans can change based on new information or situations.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Can potential be measured?
It depends on the context; in some fields like physics, it can be, but not always in subjective areas.
Janet White
Sep 26, 2023
Is untapped talent an example of potential?
Yes, untapped talent is a clear example of potential.
Sara Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Are prospective employees current employees?
No, prospective employees are potential future hires.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
Does potential imply certainty?
No, potential implies capability, not a guaranteed outcome.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
How is potential different from talent?
Talent is a natural aptitude, while potential is the capacity to develop or become something.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 26, 2023
Is potential always positive?
Not necessarily; potential can refer to both positive and negative outcomes.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
How can one realize their potential?
Through effort, training, opportunities, and supportive environments.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 26, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
