Antecedent

An antecedent (prefix ante meaning "before" and root ced meaning "go") is the noun or noun phrase to which a pronoun refers, for this word or phrase to which a pronoun refers usually "goes before" the pronoun.

Notice the words to which the pronouns her and it refer in this sentence:

The pronoun her refers to "Melissa," and the pronouns it refers to "armchair."

Often we find an antecedent (underlined) in an earlier sentence:

• Yesterday, Gus made tortillas. He ate them for lunch today.
• Last night, Joe made a burrito. He ate it before school this morning.
• Alexander Hamilton was a famous American statesman. He began his fight for the American cause by delivering a speech calling for a general congress for the colonies.
• Gouverneur Morris  opposed slaveholders. He attacked them vehemently.

Sometimes, the word to which the pronoun refers (underlined) comes after the pronoun:

• Although she dislikes watching football, Jan reluctantly goes to the game.
• Although he wrote some pamphlets, Alexander Hamilton did not receive credit at first.
• Although he had inherited slaves, Gouverneur Morris called for the end of slavery.

An antecedent (underlined) might be another pronoun:

• They finished their essays.
• She lost her keys in the ocean!
• Did he free all his slaves?
• You might consult your history book.

A pronoun can also have more than one antecedent (underlined):

• After Dunlap and Shelby cut the flowers, they made a beautiful arrangement.
• Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison wrote the Federalist Papers; they argued the case for the Constitution.

Likewise, a noun can serve as the antecedent (underlined) for more than one pronoun.

• Otis had the flu when he ran his first race.
• Grandpa was eighteen years old when he served his country in the army.
• Alexander Hamilton was one of the most eminent lawyers in New York City when he delivered his plan of a strongly federalized government.
• Gouverneur Morris demonstrated his patriotism as he performed his duties at the Constitutional Convention.

Examples 1

List the italicized pronouns in 1-11. Beside each pronoun, write the word to which it refers. (Example: his/Tony)

1. Todd rubs his chin while he thinks.
2. Although he prefers playing, Jacob works hard.
3. Opal bathed the dog. She also brushed it.
4. It took them a whole week to harvest their big crop.
5. Heather injured her toe when she kicked the soccer ball.
6. Although he was unable to obtain his desired type of government, Alexander Hamilton still worked to ratify the Constitution.
7. Alexander Hamilton's reports on a wide range of subjects show his versatility.
8. Aaron Burr resented Alexander Hamilton, so he challenged him to a duel.
9. Although he had little influence on the other delegates, George Clymer still retained the respect of his colleagues.
10. People admired Clymer. They appreciated his quietness, thoughtfulness, and modesty.
11. Clymer was a man of wealth, but he shared it.

Solutions

1. his/Todd, he/Todd
2. he/Jacob
3. she/Opal, it/dog
4. their/them
5. her/Heather, she/Heather
6. he/Alexander Hamilton, his/Alexander Hamilton
7. his/Alexander Hamilton's
8. He/Aaron Burr, him/Alexander Hamilton
9. he/George Clymer, his/George Clymer
10. They/People, his/ Clymer
11. He/Clymer, it/wealth

The meaning of the sentence below is unclear because the word to which the pronoun refers is unclear:

The doctor said she eats too much sugar.
Who eats too much sugar?
What is the antecedent of she?

The following sentences are unclear because they each contain a pronoun that has more than one possible antecedent:

Yin and Eunice painted her fence.
Whose fence? Yin's? Eunice's?

Emory left Evan with his horse.
Which is the antecedent of his?
Is it Emory, or is it Evan?

Amy picked up Beth when she was finished.
Does she refer to Amy or to Beth?

Sandra and Mom drove to her house.
Whose house? Mom's? Sandra's?

Gordy left Joe alone with his brother.
Which is the antecedent of his?
Is it Gordy, or is it Joe?

Dottie and Beth hiked to her cabin.
Whose cabin? Dottie's? Beth's?

Dustin swam with Dominic after he ate.
Does he refer to Dustin or to Dominic?

Lilly told Nadia about her parents.
Whose parents? Which is the antecedent of her?
Is it Lilly, or is it Nadia?

Bea asked Molly if she could play the piano.
Which is the antecedent of she?
Bea? Molly?

Clymer joined Meredith after he left.
Does he refer to Clymer or to Meredith?

To make our meaning clear, we can use nouns instead of pronouns, we can rearrange a few words, or we can rewrite the whole sentence:

• Yin and Eunice painted Yin's fence.
• Emory left his horse with Evan.
• When Amy was finished, she picked up Beth.
• Sandra and Mom drove to Mom's house.
• Gordy left his brother alone with Joe.
• Dottie and Beth hiked to Beth's cabin.
• After Dustin ate, he swam with Dominic.
• Lilly told about Nadia's parents.
• Bea asked if Molly could play the piano.
• After Clymer left, he joined Meredith.

Examples 2

Write the clearer sentence of each pair.

1. She hurried to the parade.
     Rosemary hurried to the parade.

2. Ted played soccer with Ned and broke his toe.
     Ted broke his toe while playing soccer with Ned.

3. She left for the market.
     Mother left for the market.

4. He flew to Heidelberg, Germany.
     Bob flew to Heidelberg, Germany.

5. Delaney played jacks with Deanne and lost her ball.
     Delaney lost her ball while playing jacks with Deanne.

6. While in Philadelphia, he called for complete independence.
     While in Philadelphia, Clymer called for complete independence.

7. Wilson and Clymer defended his home against an armed mob.
     Wilson and Clymer defended Wilson's home against an armed mob.

Solutions

1. We choose the second sentence because it clearly tells who hurried to the parade.

Rosemary hurried to the parade.

2. We choose the second sentence because it clearly tells whose toe broke.

Ted broke his toe while playing soccer with Ned.

3. We choose the second sentence because it clearly tells who went to the market.

Mother left for the market.

4. We choose the second sentence because it clearly tells who flew to Germany.

Bob flew to Heidelberg, Germany.

5. We choose the second sentence because it clearly tells whose ball was lost.

Delaney lost her ball while playing jacks with Deanne.

6. We choose the second sentence because it clearly tells who called for independence.

While in Philadelphia, Clymer called for complete independence.

7. We choose the second sentence because it clearly tells whose home they defended.

Wilson and Clymer defended Wilson's home against an armed mob.