antecedent
An antecedent is a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another. In grammar, it specifically refers to a word, phrase, or clause that a pronoun replaces or refers back to later in a sentence.
Exemples
3 sur 5We can't judge his current actions without looking at his personal antecedents.
We cannot evaluate his current behavior without considering his past history and background.
The legal counsel argued that there were no historical antecedents for such a restrictive policy.
The lawyer stated that no previous historical examples existed for this specific type of law.
He's a bit of a mystery; nobody really knows his antecedents or where he grew up.
He is quite mysterious because no one knows his family background or his past.
Synonymes
Antonymes
Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Break the word into parts: 'ante' means 'before' (like 'ante' in a card game) and 'cede' means 'to go'. An antecedent is something that 'goes before'.
Quiz rapide
The professor noted that the pronoun in the second paragraph lacked a clear _______, making the sentence confusing.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : antecedent
Exemples
We can't judge his current actions without looking at his personal antecedents.
everydayWe cannot evaluate his current behavior without considering his past history and background.
The legal counsel argued that there were no historical antecedents for such a restrictive policy.
formalThe lawyer stated that no previous historical examples existed for this specific type of law.
He's a bit of a mystery; nobody really knows his antecedents or where he grew up.
informalHe is quite mysterious because no one knows his family background or his past.
In the sentence 'John lost his keys,' 'John' is the grammatical antecedent of the pronoun 'his'.
academicIn this specific sentence, the name 'John' is the word that the pronoun 'his' refers to.
The economic crisis had several antecedents, including a housing bubble and loose lending standards.
businessThere were several prior events that led to the economic crisis, such as a housing bubble.
Synonymes
Antonymes
Famille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
without antecedent
Having no prior example or history; unprecedented.
antecedent to
Happening or existing before something else.
search for antecedents
Looking into the history or origins of a person or thing.
Souvent confondu avec
An antecedent is simply something that came before; a precedent is a previous event that serves as a specific rule or guide for future cases.
Ancestor usually refers specifically to biological family members, while antecedent can refer to events, things, or words in a sentence.
Notes d'usage
The word is most frequently used in academic writing, law, and linguistics. When used in plural (antecedents), it often refers to a person's ancestors or past history.
Erreurs courantes
Learners often use 'antecedent' when they mean 'precedent' in a legal context, or they use it in very casual conversation where 'background' or 'past' would be more natural.
Astuce mémo
Break the word into parts: 'ante' means 'before' (like 'ante' in a card game) and 'cede' means 'to go'. An antecedent is something that 'goes before'.
Origine du mot
Derived from the Latin 'antecedentem', which combines 'ante' (before) and 'cedere' (to go).
Modèles grammaticaux
Contexte culturel
In Western genealogy and legal systems, tracing antecedents is a common practice for establishing identity or legal rights.
Quiz rapide
The professor noted that the pronoun in the second paragraph lacked a clear _______, making the sentence confusing.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : antecedent
Mots lis
principled
C2Acting in accordance with morality and high standards of behavior. It describes a person or an action guided by a strict set of values and integrity rather than by personal gain or convenience.
analytical
C1Relating to or using analysis or logical reasoning to understand something by breaking it down into its constituent parts. It describes a systematic approach to problem-solving and the ability to evaluate information critically.
approach
C1A systematic way of dealing with something or a specific perspective taken when addressing a problem or task. It can also refer to the physical act of moving nearer to someone or something in distance or time.
authorize
C1To grant official permission or legal power to someone to perform a specific action or to allow something to happen. It typically involves a formal process or a person in a position of authority validating a request or procedure.
beneficial
B2Beneficial describes something that has a good effect or promotes well-being. It is frequently used in formal or academic contexts to highlight the advantages or positive outcomes of a specific action, substance, or situation.
consistent
C2The quality of achieving a level of performance which does not vary over time, or the state of being coherent and not contradictory in logical or behavioral terms. Physically, it refers to the degree of thickness, firmness, or viscosity found in a substance.
constitutional
C2Relating to the fundamental principles or established laws that govern a state or organization. It can also refer to an individual's physical health or inherent temperament.
contextual
B2Relating to the circumstances or setting in which something exists or occurs. It describes information that helps explain the meaning of an event, statement, or idea by looking at its surroundings.
contract
C1A formal and legally binding agreement between two or more parties that establishes mutual obligations. In academic and legal contexts, it refers to the specific terms, conditions, and enforcement mechanisms that govern a transaction or relationship.
contractor
C1A person or company that performs work or provides goods and services under a specific legal agreement. Unlike a regular employee, a contractor is usually hired for a specific project or a fixed period of time as an independent entity.
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