antecedent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'antecedent' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that occurred or existed before something else. For example, "His previous actions served as antecedents for his current behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The most obvious antecedent is Proust, whom Knausgaard has said he "virtually imbibed" when A la recherche du temps perdu was finally translated into Norwegian in the 1980s.

The Guardian - Books

Their opponents say that the FARC cynically used the peace talks and sacrificed the UP as a means of buying time to build up their guerrilla army part of their strategy of "combining all forms of struggle".The antecedent of the UP hangs over the promising new peace talks that the FARC and Colombia's government have been conducting in Havana since November.

The Economist

The opportunities for the poor are restricted not only by antecedent poverty but also by two types of structural faults.

The Economist

Safety considerations will be taken care of by having chains of approved dealers who meet manufacturers' technical standards for repair and maintenance work.The final paradox concerns Britain's booming industry, now turning out 2m cars a year, back up to the output levels of the 1970s, before the unions started demolishing Rover's antecedent, British Leyland.

The Economist

Maruti Suzuki's antecedent firm was founded in 1968 by Sanjay Gandhi, a playboy scion of India's ruling dynasty, whose qualifications included repeatedly being arrested for speeding in his Jaguar while on the rampage in England and a mum who was prime minister.

The Economist

In particular it could be a model for Ecuador, which recently agreed to allow oil exploration in the Yasuní national park.The NGOs cite a dark antecedent: when Shell began exploring Camisea in the 1980s, it built an access road.

The Economist

The antecedent to the pronoun is someone, and the pronoun is, of course, they.

The Economist

Conditionals are non-simple assertibles formed with the connective 'if …, …'; they consist of antecedent and consequent (D. L. 7.71 2).

SEP

Similarly for (P.4d), which may be further weakened or strengthened by tampering with the parthood predicates occurring in the antecedent and in the consequent.

SEP

The incompatibilist maintains that if our willings and choices are themselves determined by antecedent causes then we could never choose otherwise than we do.

SEP

Similarly, the existence of persons whose antecedent attitudinal framework or whose bias within their structuring of their perceptions limits their ability to observe the empirical evidence that is relevant for resolving an issue does not negate the objectivity of the factual evidence or the legitimacy of the acceptance of the hypotheses that represent the optimal interpretation of the data.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "antecedent", ensure clarity by specifying what follows from it. For example, instead of simply stating "The antecedent was concerning", specify "The antecedent event was concerning because it suggested a pattern of neglect."

Common error

A common mistake is to confuse the "antecedent" with the consequence. Remember that the "antecedent" comes before and leads to the consequence, which comes after. Double-check that you're using these terms in the correct temporal order.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "antecedent" is as a noun, referring to something that precedes another thing. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, maintaining this core meaning of something coming before.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "antecedent" functions as a noun signifying something that precedes another, particularly in a causal or temporal sequence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. Its usage is most prevalent in scientific, news, and business contexts. When employing "antecedent", ensure clarity by specifying its relationship to the subsequent event or condition. Avoid confusing it with terms like "consequence" or "precedent". Synonyms include "preceding event", "prior condition", and "historical precedent", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the intended emphasis. By considering these aspects, writers can effectively and accurately use the term "antecedent" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preceding event

Focuses specifically on the event aspect of something coming before.

prior condition

Highlights the state or situation that existed before something else.

historical precedent

Emphasizes the historical aspect and its role as a guide for future actions.

root cause

Shifts the focus to the origin or primary reason behind something.

pre-existing factor

Highlights the existence of a factor before a certain point in time.

originating circumstance

Emphasizes the circumstances or conditions from which something arises.

formative influence

Highlights the impact on shaping or developing something.

early development

Focuses on the initial stages and their influence on later stages.

genesis

Refers to the very beginning or creation of something.

initial stage

Focuses specifically on the first phase or period.

FAQs

How to use "antecedent" in a sentence?

Use "antecedent" to describe something that precedes another thing, especially a cause. For example: "The economic crisis was the "preceding event" that led to widespread social unrest."

What are some synonyms for "antecedent"?

Alternatives for "antecedent" include "preceding event", "prior condition", or "historical precedent", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "antecedent" and "precedent"?

"Antecedent" refers to something that comes before in time, while "precedent" refers to a previous case or example that serves as a guide for future situations. While a "precedent" can be an "antecedent", not all "antecedents" are precedents.

Which is correct, "antecedent cause" or "subsequent cause"?

"Antecedent cause" is correct. "Antecedent" means preceding, so an "antecedent cause" is the cause that comes before the effect. "Subsequent cause" is contradictory, as subsequent refers to something that follows.