What is the correct definition of a antecedent?

The definition of "antecedent" depends on the context in which it's used. Here are the most common meanings:

1. Grammar:

* In grammar, an antecedent is the noun or pronoun that a pronoun refers to. For example, in the sentence "The dog chased its tail," "dog" is the antecedent of the pronoun "its."

2. Logic:

* In logic, an antecedent is the first part of a conditional statement, the part that comes before "if." For example, in the statement "If it rains, then the ground will be wet," "it rains" is the antecedent.

3. Other:

* In other contexts, "antecedent" can refer to something that comes before something else in time or order. For example, "the antecedent events leading up to the war."

To understand the meaning of "antecedent," it's important to consider the context in which it's used. If you're unsure, looking at the surrounding words or phrases can help you figure out what the word means.