Potential vs. Prospective — What's the Difference?

Possessing latent qualities or abilities that may be developed.

Expected or expecting to be something particular in the future.

Potential generally refers to a currently unrealized ability. The term is used in a wide variety of fields, from physics to the social sciences to indicate things that are in a state where they are able to change in ways ranging from the simple release of energy by objects to the realization of abilities in people.

Referring to a buyer who has shown interest in goods or services.

Capable of being but not yet in existence; latent or undeveloped

Potential candidate for a job or position.

(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being a verbal construction with auxiliaries such as may or can; for example, it may snow.

Expected or expecting to be the specified thing in the future

The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or future success

Likely or expected to happen.

The possibility that something might happen or result from given conditions

Likely to become or be

See electric potential.

Likely or expected to happen or become.

See gravitational potential.

Anticipated in the near or far future.

See magnetic potential.

Of or relating to a prospect; furnishing a prospect.

(Grammar) A potential verb form.

Looking forward in time; acting with foresight.

Currently unrealized ability (with the most common adposition being to)

A study that starts with the present situation and follows participants into the future

(physics) The gravitational potential: the radial (irrotational, static) component of a gravitational field, also known as the Newtonian potential or the gravitoelectric field.

(grammar) Indicating grammatically an activity about to begin.

(physics) The work (energy) required to move a reference particle from a reference location to a specified location in the presence of a force field, for example to bring a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a specified point against an electric field.

(obsolete) The scene before or around, in time or in space; view; prospect.

(grammar) A verbal construction or form stating something is possible or probable.

(obsolete) A perspective glass.

Existing in possibility, not in actuality.

A prospective (potential) member, student, employee, date, partner, etc.

(archaic) Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result

Of or pertaining to a prospect; furnishing a prospect; perspective.

(physics) A potential field is an irrotational (static) field.

Looking forward in time; acting with foresight; - opposed to retrospective.

(physics) A potential flow is an irrotational flow.

Being within view or consideration, as a future event or contingency; relating to the future: expected; as, a prospective benefit.

(grammar) Referring to a verbal construction of form stating something is possible or probable.

The scene before or around, in time or in space; view; prospect.

Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential.

A perspective glass.

Existing in possibility, not in actuality.

Concerned with or related to the future;

Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially.

Anticipated for the near future;

In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates which determine the position of a point, such that its differential coefficients with respect to the coördinates are equal to the components of the force at the point considered; - also called potential function, or force function. It is called also Newtonian potential when the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely as the square of the distance from the center.

Likely to happen at a future date; concerned with or applying to the future.

The energy of an electrical charge measured by its power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as referred to some standard, as that of the earth; electro-motive force.

Looking forward; relating to the future.

The inherent capacity for coming into being

The difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts

Existing in possibility;

Expected to become or be; in prospect;

The possibility of something happening or of someone doing something in the future.

Capable of being but not yet in existence; possible.

The intrinsic ability or capacity for growth or development.

Likely to develop into a particular type of person or thing in the future.

Yes, 'prospective' can refer to situations that are likely but not guaranteed.

In a job context, 'potential' refers to an individual's capacity to grow and perform in the future.

No, 'potential' can be used for a wide range of subjects, including objects and scenarios.

'Prospective' does not imply certainty but rather a strong likelihood or consideration for the future.

No, a 'potential' threat refers to something that could happen, not something immediate.

No, 'potential' can refer to both positive and negative possibilities.

Typically no, once they engage services, they are no longer 'prospective.'

'Prospective' is slightly formal and often used in business or official contexts.

'Potential' often describes the undeveloped talent that may be cultivated.

'Potential' refers to what could happen or be, while 'actual' refers to what is real or exists currently.

No, 'prospective' plans may change or not materialize.

'Prospective' often relates to the future but usually involves expectation or intention, unlike the general term 'future.'

'Potential' can sometimes be quantified, especially in scientific contexts, but often it is qualitative.

Yes, 'potential' can exist as a possibility even if it is never realized.

No, 'prospective' clients are potential clients who have not yet decided to purchase or use services.