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What is the difference between anaphoric and cataphoric pronoun?

Here's a breakdown of anaphoric and cataphoric pronouns:

Anaphoric Pronoun

* Definition: A pronoun that refers back to a noun or noun phrase that has already been mentioned in the text. It acts as a substitute for the previously mentioned noun.

* Example: "The dog barked. It was a loud noise." Here, "It" refers back to the noun "dog".

Cataphoric Pronoun

* Definition: A pronoun that refers forward to a noun or noun phrase that will be mentioned later in the text. It sets up an anticipation for the upcoming noun.

* Example: "It was a beautiful day. The sun shone brightly." Here, "It" refers forward to the noun "sun".

Key Differences:

* Direction of Reference: Anaphoric pronouns refer backwards, while cataphoric pronouns refer forwards.

* Function: Anaphoric pronouns help to avoid repetition and create smooth sentence flow. Cataphoric pronouns build suspense and create a sense of anticipation.

Examples:

* Anaphoric: "The cat sat on the mat. It was a ginger cat."

* Cataphoric: "I saw it on the street today. The new Tesla looked amazing."

In short: Think of "ana" as meaning "back" (like "anagram") and "cata" as meaning "down" (like "catalog"). So, anaphoric pronouns refer back, and cataphoric pronouns refer down (or forward) in the text.

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