What is an antecedent?
The preceding word or phrase in a sentence.
The Antecedent: The Word that Comes Before
The antecedent, in grammar, is the word that comes before another in a sentence and which subsequently refers to it. By identifying and keeping track of antecedents in your writing, you create clarity and coherence for your reader. For example, in the sentence: Josh went to the store. He bought milk. 'Josh' is the antecedent for 'he,' referring back to the subject of the previous sentence.
Etymologically, antecedent comes from the Latin roots ante- meaning 'before,' and cedere meaning 'to go.' Understanding the root and meaning of a term can sometimes help us remember and use it correctly in our creative writing, as well as give us insight into why certain grammar rules exist.
Exploring how various writers effectively use antecedents can be helpful in understanding how to better utilize the technique in our own creative writing.
J.D. Salinger's iconic novel brilliantly employs the technique of antecedents to add an element of depth to the character of Holden Caulfield. For instance, when Holden says, 'I'm the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life,' the use of the personal pronoun 'I' becomes the antecedent to his adulation of his own ability to deceive.
In Austen's classic novel, Elizabeth's and Darcy's pride and prejudice are both informed by antecedents heretofore unseen by each other, allowing readers to simultaneously understand the two perspectives and appreciate how the two eventually come together.