Antecedent (grammar)

In grammar, an antecedent is the word, phrase, or clause that a pronoun refers to or replaces. It typically appears earlier in the sentence or in a preceding sentence. Understanding the relationship between an antecedent and its pronoun is crucial for clarity and coherence in writing. For example, in the sentence: "The dog barked loudly, and it scared the neighbors." Here, "the dog" is the antecedent of the pronoun "it.