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antecedent

adjective

/ˌæn təˈsid nt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of antecedent

Preceding or coming before another thing in time, order, or position.
"His antecedent experience in management proved to be invaluable in his new role."

Detailed meaning of antecedent

It is used to describe a noun or pronoun that refers to a previously mentioned or implied noun. In grammar, the term "antecedent" is often used in relation to pronouns, where the antecedent is the noun that the pronoun replaces or refers back to. For example, in the sentence, "John lost his keys," "John" is the antecedent of the pronoun "his." The antecedent provides the context or foundation for understanding the pronoun's meaning. In broader contexts, the adjective "antecedent" can also describe events, ideas, or circumstances that occur prior to or influence subsequent occurrences.

Example sentences containing antecedent

1. Understanding the antecedent events is crucial for solving the mystery.
2. The antecedent chapter provides context for the story.
3. A clear antecedent decision paved the way for success.
4. The antecedent circumstances influenced his choices.
5. The antecedent data supports our hypothesis.
6. The antecedent generation laid the foundation for progress.

History and etymology of antecedent

The adjective 'antecedent' has its etymological origins in the Latin word 'antecedens,' which is formed from 'ante' (meaning 'before') and 'cedens' (meaning 'going' or 'preceding'). Therefore, 'antecedent' etymologically signifies something that precedes or comes before another thing in time, order, or position. It aptly describes the concept of something that serves as a precursor or an earlier occurrence, highlighting its position in the sequence of events or the hierarchy of elements. The term 'antecedent' emphasizes the role of the preceding element in shaping or influencing what follows, making it a fundamental concept in various contexts, from grammar to history and beyond.

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Further usage examples of antecedent

1. She studied the antecedent trends to predict the future.
2. The antecedent actions led to unforeseen consequences.
3. History often reveals important antecedent causes.
4. The antecedent document contains valuable information.
5. The antecedent events led to the outbreak of the conflict.
6. Mary studied the antecedent chapters before diving into the new material.
7. The detective carefully examined the antecedent clues to solve the mystery.
8. In the sentence, "She picked up the book and read it," "book" is the antecedent of the pronoun "it."
9. The antecedent experience helped him handle the challenging situation.
10. The antecedent conditions of the forest made it susceptible to wildfires.
11. She studied the antecedent cultures to understand the evolution of modern societies.
12. The scientist examined the antecedent climate data to predict future weather patterns.
13. The novel makes numerous references to the protagonist's antecedent life in Italy.
14. Understanding the antecedent events in history is vital for learning from the past.
15. The lawyer explored the antecedent cases to build a strong argument in court.
16. The programmer created a code to find the antecedent values in the data set.
17. To solve the puzzle, one must take into account the antecedent clues provided.
18. The psychologist considered the patient’s antecedent behavior to assess their current mental state.
19. Her antecedent knowledge of the subject allowed her to answer the questions effortlessly.
20. The engineer inspected the antecedent infrastructure to gauge the need for upgrades.