SILGLOBALGlossary of
Linguistic Terms

Glossary term A

Antecedent

Definition

An antecedent is a word, phrase, or clause referred to endophorically by another expression which precedes or follows it.

Examples

(English)

In the following construction, the boy is the antecedent of who:

  • The boy who pitched the game is worn out.

    • In the following construction, a towel is the antecedent of one:

  • If you need one, there’s a towel in the top drawer.

    • See also

    Endophora

    Sources 4

    1. Crystal 1985, 17
    2. Hartmann and Stork 1972, 14
    3. Pei and Gaynor 1954, 15
    4. Mish 1991, 89
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