perspectives

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   The different ways that various people think about or understand the same thing.

   Grammar: Always plural here; it usually follows words like "different" or "various" and takes "on" before the topic: perspectives on education.

   Patterns

   • different perspectives on something
   • various perspectives on something
   • see something from different perspectives

   The conference brought together scientists with very different perspectives on climate change.

   Reading novels from other countries lets us see the world from new perspectives.

   The two managers have opposing perspectives on how the team should work.

2. 2nouncountable

   A particular way of thinking about or judging a situation, held by one person or group.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say "a perspective", "one perspective", "several perspectives". Often followed by "on" or "from ... perspective".

   Patterns

   • from a ... perspective
   • a fresh perspective on something
   • keep a sense of perspective

   From a teacher's perspective, the new timetable is a problem.

   Travel gave her a fresh perspective on her own culture.

   Try to keep a sense of perspective when you read the headlines.

3. 3noununcountabletechnical

   The art or method of showing objects on a flat surface as they appear to the eye, with depth and distance.

   Grammar: No plural in this artistic sense; it names a technique rather than a countable thing.

   Patterns

   • in perspective
   • the rules of perspective

   The painting uses perspective to make the road look long and narrow.

   Students of drawing spend weeks learning perspective.

Word forms

Common combinations

from my perspective

From my perspective, the plan is too expensive.

a global perspective

The course gives students a global perspective on trade.

broaden your perspective

Living abroad broadened his perspective.

put something in perspective

The figures put the company's losses in perspective.

a historical perspective

The book examines the war from a historical perspective.

Synonyms and how they differ

viewpoint

Very close in meaning, but "viewpoint" often sounds a little more fixed and personal, while "perspective" stresses the position you are looking from.

outlook

Use "outlook" for a general attitude toward life or the future; "perspective" is more about how one particular matter is seen.

angle

Informal and often about how a story or argument is presented; "perspective" is the more neutral, general word.

Word family

perspective noun

The singular form: one way of seeing or judging something.

perspectival adjective

Rare, technical: relating to perspective or point of view.

Commonly confused: perspectives or prospective?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “perspectives”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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