antecedent

In reference to pronouns, an antecedent is the word, clause, or phrase that a pronoun refers to.

In many cases, an antecedent is a noun that comes soon before the pronoun, either earlier in the same sentence or in the preceding sentence—for example:

The problem in Central Falls, as it was at my high school, Central, is poverty.

Here, the antecedent of the pronoun it is poverty.

Sometimes, the antecedent is more than a single word, and it may even come after its pronoun. Both are true of the it in this sentence:

Now, if it’s not too much trouble, have a go at that pesky 10-year playoff drought, OK?

Here, the antecedent of it is have a go at that pesky 10-year playoff drought.

And sometimes the antecedent is unspoken:

You know what they say about March — comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb.