prospect

/ˈprɒspekt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈprɑːspekt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈprä-ˌspekt/ (ame, mw) · /ˈprɒs.pekt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈprɑː.spekt/ (ame, ipa)

prospect — noun

1. how likely it is that a wished-for event or a desired situation will take place

1.名詞B2
釋義

how likely it is that a wished-for event or a desired situation will take place at some later time

例句

Ife saw little prospect of finding a better job, so she moved to the city.

prospect of + gerund

There is a real prospect that the peace agreement will be signed before the end of the year.

prospect + that-clause

同義詞
  • chance

    more everyday and neutral; used for both good and bad outcomes

  • likelihood

    more formal and statistical; focuses on probability rather than desirability

  • possibility

    broader term; any future outcome that might happen, not necessarily good

反義詞

文法句型

prospect of + noun/gerund

prospect that + clause

there is a prospect of/that

用法筆記

Frequently used with 'of' + a gerund ('prospect of moving') or a that-clause ('prospect that prices will rise'). Usually singular in this sense; the plural 'prospects' belongs to a different sense (see noun sense 2).

常見錯誤

❌The prospect of rain today is 80 percent.
✅The chance of rain today is 80 percent.
💡'prospect' usually implies something desired or expected, not a neutral weather probability.
❌There are no prospect of success.
✅There is no prospect of success.
💡in this sense 'prospect' is treated as singular uncountable, not plural.

2. the likelihood of achieving success and moving up in one's career, particularly

2.名詞B1
釋義

the likelihood of achieving success and moving up in one's career, particularly regarding jobs, promotions, and earnings

例句

Théo's career prospects improved greatly after he completed his professional training course.

career prospects

The company offered Sofia excellent prospects for promotion within the first two years.

prospects for + noun

同義詞
  • outlook

    broader; can describe financial, economic, or personal future

  • opportunities

    focuses on specific openings rather than general chances

文法句型

prospects for + noun/gerund

prospects in + field/noun

career/job/employment prospects

用法筆記

Almost always used in the plural form 'prospects' in this career-related sense. Typical collocating adjectives: 'good', 'bright', 'excellent', 'poor', 'bleak', 'long-term', 'career'. The preposition 'for' introduces the area ('prospects for graduates'), while 'in' introduces the field ('prospects in engineering').

常見錯誤

❌I have good prospect of getting the job.
✅I have good prospects of getting the job.
💡career meaning requires the plural form 'prospects'.
❌The prospects for rain are low.
✅The chance of rain is low.
💡'prospects' for weather sounds unnatural; use 'chance' or 'likelihood' instead.

3. the mental image or feeling that you get when you think about a future event or

3.名詞B2
釋義

the mental image or feeling that you get when you think about a future event or situation that you may experience, whether exciting, worrying, or unpleasant

例句

Rohan could think of nothing but the prospect of a week at the beach during exams.

prospect of + gerund

Nadia could not bear the prospect of failing the entrance exam, so she studied hard each night.

同義詞
  • anticipation

    more active; suggests looking forward with preparation

  • expectation

    implies stronger belief that it will happen

  • thought

    simpler and more general; less focused on the emotional colour

文法句型

prospect of + noun/gerund

at the prospect of + noun/gerund

faced with the prospect of

用法筆記

Focuses on the mental or emotional reaction to an imagined future, not on statistical probability (compare noun sense 1). Often used with verbs expressing emotion: 'excited at', 'dreading', 'could not face', 'thrilled at'. The phrase 'at the prospect of' is a common fixed pattern.

常見錯誤

❌The prospect of a new shopping centre excites me.' (if you mean the likelihood)
✅The prospect of a new shopping centre excites me.
💡this is actually correct for sense 3 if you mean the idea/thought. To be clear about likelihood, use 'The likelihood of a new shopping centre...'
❌I'm prospect of going to Japan.
✅I'm excited at the prospect of going to Japan.
💡'prospect' needs a preposition and article, not used as a direct object of 'be'.

4. a person who has a good chance of being selected for a job, a sports team, a pos

4.名詞B1
釋義

a person who has a good chance of being selected for a job, a sports team, a position, or as a customer

例句

Joshua is one of the top prospects for the national junior swimming team this year.

top prospect for

The sales team identified several promising prospects for their new accounting software.

sales prospect

同義詞
  • candidate

    more general; anyone being considered, not necessarily with a high chance of selection

  • applicant

    someone who has applied, not just someone who might be suitable

  • contender

    stronger; emphasises competition among several people

文法句型

prospect for + noun

top/strong/good prospect

用法筆記

Common in sports, business, and recruitment contexts. Often modified by adjectives like 'top', 'hot', 'strong', 'promising', 'good'. The preposition 'for' introduces the position or role. In sales contexts, 'prospect' means a potential customer.

常見錯誤

❌She is a prospect student for our university.
✅She is a prospect for our university.' or 'She is a prospective student for our university.
💡'prospect' is a noun, not an adjective. The adjective form is 'prospective'.
❌We have three prospect buyers interested.
✅We have three prospective buyers interested.
💡use the adjective form before a noun.

5. a wide and impressive view of a natural landscape, coastline, or city skyline, t

5.名詞C1
釋義

a wide and impressive view of a natural landscape, coastline, or city skyline, typically seen from a high or open position

例句

From the hilltop there was a beautiful prospect of the valley and the river below.

prospect of + landscape noun

The hotel room offered a stunning prospect over the old city and the harbour beyond.

prospect over + area

同義詞
  • view

    the everyday word; less formal and more general

  • panorama

    emphasises a very wide, 360-degree view

  • vista

    similar register to 'prospect'; often used for long, narrow views like a valley

文法句型

prospect of + noun

adjective + prospect of + noun

prospect over + noun

用法筆記

A somewhat formal or literary word for a 'view' or 'scene'. More common in written descriptions, travel writing, and poetry than in everyday conversation. In modern spoken English, 'view' or 'scene' is preferred.

常見錯誤

❌There is a nice prospect from my kitchen window.' (too everyday)
✅There is a nice view from my kitchen window.
💡'prospect' sounds overly formal for a simple everyday view.
❌I like the prospect of those flowers in the garden.
✅I like the sight of those flowers in the garden.
💡'prospect' describes a wide panorama, not a close-up scene.

prospect — verb