prospect for

USAGE SUMMARY

"prospect for" is correct and usable in written english.
You can use it when you are searching for something, usually with the intention of finding something valuable or important. Example: The mining company set out to prospect for oil in the arctic.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is an intriguing prospect for investors.

The Economist

It has a good prospect for use.

Crop Protection

It's a daunting prospect for all five.

The Guardian - Music

Similarly murky is the prospect for legislation.

The New York Times

Little prospect for negotiation exists for now.

The New York Times

A frightening prospect for the future.

The Guardian - Opinion

Quite a compelling prospect for gamers, then.

The Guardian - Tech

"I still have to prospect for listings.

The New York Times

The prospect for big savings is dubious.

The New York Times

So where's the prospect for recovery?

The New York Times

Turbulence for Turbines Gone with the Prospect for Wind?

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prospect for" when indicating the act of searching or exploring with the expectation of finding something valuable, such as resources or opportunities.

Common error

Avoid using "prospect for" when a passive expectation or prediction is more appropriate. Use "outlook for" or "potential for" instead when describing inherent possibilities without implying active searching.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prospect for" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often used in conjunction with a verb to indicate the act of searching or exploring with the intention of finding something valuable or promising. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

5%

Unknown

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prospect for" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of searching or exploring with the expectation of finding something valuable. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While semantically related to phrases like "potential for" and "opportunity for", it specifically implies active searching. It's crucial to use it when indicating this active exploration rather than a passive expectation. Remember to avoid misusing it when a general prediction or inherent possibility is more appropriate. With its widespread usage and clear meaning, "prospect for" remains a valuable phrase for expressing intent and expectation in various fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outlook for

Focuses more on predicting future conditions or events.

potential for

Emphasizes the inherent capacity or possibility for something to occur or develop.

opportunity for

Highlights the availability of chances or openings for something.

scope for

Indicates the extent or range of possibilities or actions.

room for

Suggests the availability of space or possibility for something to exist or happen.

chance for

Focuses on the likelihood or possibility of an event occurring.

hope for

Emphasizes a desire or expectation that something positive will happen.

search for

Implies actively seeking something.

expectation for

Highlights a belief that something will happen or is likely to happen.

hunt for

Suggests a vigorous or determined search.

FAQs

How is "prospect for" used in a sentence?

The phrase "prospect for" is used to indicate searching or exploring with the expectation of finding something valuable. For example, "They went to prospect for gold in the mountains."

What's the difference between "prospect for" and "search for"?

"Prospect for" implies a specific expectation of finding something valuable, while "search for" is a more general term for looking for something.

When is it more appropriate to use "potential for" instead of "prospect for"?

Use "potential for" when referring to the inherent capacity or possibility of something developing, rather than the act of actively searching for it. For example, "There's great potential for growth in this market" versus "They plan to prospect for new customers in the region".

What can I say instead of "prospect for" when discussing future possibilities?

Depending on the context, you could use "outlook for", "opportunity for", or "potential for" to express future possibilities.