a prospective basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prospective basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is anticipated or expected in the future, often in a context related to planning or evaluation. Example: "We will assess the project's viability on a prospective basis to ensure it aligns with our long-term goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The report suggested the option of restoring the general prohibition on direct leverage of superannuation funds on a prospective basis.

The Guardian

Either can be calculated on a historical or a prospective basis.

The Economist

CII and a group of our members are approaching index providers to explore exclusion from core indexes, on a prospective basis, of share classes with no voting rights.

Harvard University

The test is required to be completed for an individual each year on a prospective basis, always taking into account the current calendar year and the two preceding calendar years.

Yale University

But it, too, applied that finding on a prospective basis only, in the sense that it declined to declare the State's application of the statute unconstitutional for the years in question.

Cornell University

In contrast, parties, such as petitioner, who wait to litigate until after others have labored to create a new rule, are merely asserting a right that is theirs in law, is not being applied on a prospective basis only, and is not otherwise barred by state procedural requirements.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Instead phone companies would, in response to a court order, turn over a suspicious phone number as well as all the numbers it called and received, and all numbers those numbers called and received, on an "ongoing and prospective basis", according to an administration official.

The Guardian

Overall, we conclude that a relatively small number of automatic air temperature and humidity loggers located within a population represent an effective and cost-effective means of gathering weather data at the local level, on a current and prospective basis.

Global Health Action

• To the Editor: A solution to the dysfunction highlighted in your article would be to fund researchers on a retrospective rather than prospective basis.

The New York Times

The docking studies, which supported the rationalization of the metabolic studies, constituted a prospective rational basis for the development of optimized ortho-quinone analogs.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

They said: Compared with our last update there are few material estimate changes to note, with the exception of a further downgrade to Man's estimates, principally as a result of a continued weak performance from AHL. Man Group is more expensive on a prospective PE basis now than it was when the share price was 10% higher at the start of the year.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prospective basis" to clearly indicate that an assessment, decision, or action is being considered from a future standpoint. This is especially useful in planning, policy-making, and research contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a prospective basis" when you actually mean to analyze something that has already happened. "Retrospective analysis" is the correct term for examining past events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prospective basis" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate that an action or evaluation is considered from a future standpoint. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase often appears in contexts involving planning, assessment, or data collection.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

24%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a prospective basis" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to denote a future-oriented perspective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate in contexts where assessments, decisions, or data collection are based on future expectations. Its formal and scientific register makes it well-suited for academic papers, news articles, and business reports. Related phrases such as "looking ahead" or "going forward" can serve as alternatives in more casual settings. Remembering to distinguish prospective from retrospective analyses is key to using this phrase correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

On a forward-looking basis

Rephrases using slightly more formal language and adjectival form.

With future effect

Emphasizes that something will become effective at a later date.

Going forward

Similar to 'from now on', but implies continuous action.

With a view to the future

A more descriptive and elaborate way of expressing a future orientation.

Looking ahead

Focuses on the future viewpoint, omitting the 'basis' aspect.

In the future

A simple, direct way to indicate a future timeframe.

From this point forward

Similar to "from now on", but slightly more emphatic.

From now on

Emphasizes the starting point of a new practice or policy.

Proactively

Highlights taking action in anticipation of future events, removing focus from a structured evaluation.

In anticipation

Focuses on acting before something happens, suggesting preparation.

FAQs

How can I use "a prospective basis" in a sentence?

You can use "a prospective basis" to indicate that something is being evaluated or planned with a focus on the future. For example, "We will assess the project's viability on "a prospective basis"."

What does "a prospective basis" mean?

"A prospective basis" refers to evaluating or acting based on future expectations or projections rather than past results.

What's the difference between "a prospective basis" and "a retrospective basis"?

"A prospective basis" focuses on future events and predictions, while "a retrospective basis" concerns past events and historical data.

Are there any alternatives to "a prospective basis"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "looking ahead", "going forward", or "on a forward-looking basis" depending on the specific context.