retrospective

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "retrospective" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an instance of looking back at past events or memories. For example, "The museum hosted a retrospective exhibit featuring the artist's work over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Arts

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The only reason you see placards in Parliament Square today is because the anti-war protester Brian Haw's demonstration preceded the introduction of the act, which is not retrospective.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Spectator Bird was written when Stegner was sixty-seven and resonates with the cranky, retrospective musings of an older writer.

The Guardian - Books

The retrospective review, commissioned by the trust, look at 822 cancer patients treated at the hospital between 2010 and 2014.

The Guardian

In spite of 17 productions at that theatre, her work – like that of many other female directors – barely featured in a retrospective for its 50th anniversary.

The Guardian

But the Law Council of Australia said there were no "clear and compelling reasons" for the bill to grant retrospective legal immunity, and that it "casts doubt on the integrity" of the way environmental protections are implemented.

The Guardian

"They had been asking for some time to do it, but I don't really have that sort of retrospective instinct and so kept saying 'No thank you'.

The Guardian

"This latest amendment will only make the provision retrospective so it won't apply to future decisions.

The Guardian

It has been nearly 50 years since there has been a full retrospective of Barbara Hepworth's sculpture and drawings in London.

The Guardian - Arts

He is "a great believer in retrospective policy.

The Guardian - Film

Indeed, such is his association with political power circles that a retrospective of his work – "Oscar de la Renta: Five Decades of Style" – is currently being displayed at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Inverness Caledonian Thistle defender Josh Meekings is set to miss the Scottish Cup final after being offered a retrospective ban for handling Leigh Griffiths' goal-bound header.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retrospective" when referring to a comprehensive look at past events, works, or policies. It implies a structured and thorough review.

Common error

Avoid using "retrospective" when you mean "retroactive". "Retrospective" refers to looking back, while "retroactive" means applying to the past.

Linguistic Context

The word "retrospective" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate something related to or characteristic of looking back on the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its adjectival use, such as "retrospective review" and "retrospective ban".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

18%

Arts

11%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retrospective" is an adjective used to describe a comprehensive look back at past events, works, or policies. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, especially in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Arts contexts. When writing, it's best to use "retrospective" to denote a thorough review and to avoid confusing it with "retroactive". It is generally a neutral to formal term, suitable for professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking back

Focuses on the act of reviewing the past, omitting the formal tone.

in hindsight

Emphasizes understanding a situation after it has occurred, not a review itself.

past evaluation

Highlights the assessment of previous events, being more explicit.

historical analysis

Focuses on analyzing past events from a history context.

previous assessment

Stresses the idea of a former evaluation, not on the act of review.

ex post facto

Refers specifically to actions or laws that apply retroactively.

after-the-fact

Emphasizes the timing of an action or realization after an event.

rearview mirror

Uses a metaphor to represent the past, more evocative than precise.

with the benefit of hindsight

Highlights the advantage of knowing something after it has happened.

reflecting on the past

Focuses on contemplation, being more subjective.

FAQs

How is "retrospective" commonly used in a sentence?

The word "retrospective" is often used to describe reviews, exhibitions, or analyses that look back at past events or accomplishments. For example, "The museum held a "retrospective" exhibit of the artist's early works".

What are some alternatives to using "retrospective"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "looking back", "in hindsight", or "historical analysis" to convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "retrospective" and "retroactive"?

"Retrospective" refers to looking back at past events or works, while "retroactive" means applying to or taking effect from a date in the past. For example, a "retrospective" art exhibit showcases an artist's past work, while a "retroactive" law applies to past actions.

When is it appropriate to use the term "retrospective"?

Use "retrospective" when you want to describe something that comprehensively reviews or examines past events, accomplishments, or artistic works. It's often used in the context of art exhibitions, policy reviews, or historical analyses.