retrospect

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "retrospect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about looking back on past events or experiences. Example sentence: In retrospect, I should have chosen a different course of action.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In retrospect it was also a mistake to let into government warlords who had fought the Taliban but who were notorious for past abuses.

The Economist

America's Volcker rule would exempt that country's debt, but not that of other sovereigns, from restrictions on banks' proprietary trading.In retrospect, much of the rise in cross-border lending was foolish.

The Economist

Whether or not Mr Romney's fondness for "self-deportation" was to blame, the Republican pre-election spin that a focus on jobs and growth would be enough to win around Latino voters is not only risible in retrospect, it was obviously wrong at the time.OK, election campaigns do funny things to people's brains.

The Economist

Over a 15-month selection process a committee also considered people from America and Europe, outsiders from the Indian business scene and internal candidates.In retrospect its choice seems obvious, even though Mr Mistry, a non-executive director of Tata Sons, the group's holding company, was originally a member of the selection panel, and joined the shortlist of candidates only a few months ago.

The Economist

In 1994 he lured President Bill Clinton into a joyful impromptu saxophone session at a Prague nightclub.He was profoundly uneasy (rightly, in retrospect) with the shaky moral foundations of post-communist capitalism.

The Economist

But Mr Nastase and his supporters are already considering a presidential bid in 2009.In retrospect, the EU relied too much on individual politicians to back Romania's anti-corruption drive, notably Monica Macovei, a much-admired justice minister.

The Economist

The two candidates scrapped over foreign policy in the primaries; in retrospect, those fights seem like Kabuki.

The Economist

They mostly admit (at least in retrospect) that the Nasdaq, in particular, and the broader TMT sector in general, until the spring of 2000 experienced a classic speculative bubble that has now been largely deflated.

The Economist

In retrospect Mr Sarin's problem was that he had chosen the right new strategy reducing Vodafone's dependence on developed markets, and moving instead into high-growth emerging markets but it was not what unhappy investors wanted to hear.

The Economist

Yet, for all the turbulence in the industry, the bioinformatics juggernaut remains on track, fuelled by new forces changing the pharmaceutical industry.Gene genieIn retrospect, the marriage of genetics and computers was pre-ordained.

The Economist

In retrospect it is clear the country was living in a bubble of hubris and unearned kudos.In this section This England September in their sights The class of 2010 More is more?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retrospect" to introduce an observation or realization that is clear now but wasn't at the time something happened.

Common error

Avoid using "retrospect" when you mean "prospect". "Retrospect" refers to looking back, while "prospect" refers to looking forward. For example, use "in retrospect, the decision was wrong" not "in prospect, the decision was wrong".

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "retrospect" is to act as a noun or adverbial phrase that introduces a consideration or understanding based on past events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retrospect" is a versatile term used to introduce a viewpoint informed by past events. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Primarily appearing in contexts like news and formal communications, "retrospect" helps provide a critical or enlightened perspective on past actions. Alternatives like "in hindsight" or "looking back" offer similar meanings, although "retrospect" often carries a more formal tone. Common errors include confusing it with "prospect", which refers to the future rather than the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in hindsight

Replaces "retrospect" with a synonym emphasizing understanding gained after an event.

looking back

Uses a more common and direct expression for reviewing the past.

with the benefit of hindsight

Emphasizes the advantage of knowing the outcome when evaluating past decisions.

on reflection

Suggests a period of thought and consideration about past events.

in light of subsequent events

Focuses on how later events change the perception of the past.

after consideration

Highlights careful thought about past actions or occurrences.

assessing the past

Implies a formal evaluation of previous events.

reviewing the situation

Suggests a detailed examination of what happened earlier.

considering previous events

A straightforward way to refer to thinking about what occurred before.

with past experience

Highlights learning from previous experiences.

FAQs

How can I use "retrospect" in a sentence?

You can use "retrospect" to indicate a view or understanding of past events that is different from what was known at the time. For example, "In retrospect, I should have taken that job offer."

What's a good substitute for "in retrospect"?

Alternatives include "in hindsight", "looking back", or "on reflection". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "in" before "retrospect"?

While "in retrospect" is the most common form, "retrospect" can also function as a noun without the preposition. For example, "The value of his work is clear in retrospect."

What is the difference between "retrospect" and "hindsight"?

"Retrospect" generally refers to the act of looking back, while "hindsight" often implies the wisdom or understanding gained from that backward look. They are often used interchangeably, but "hindsight" emphasizes the result of reflection.