Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
cataphoric
Adjective
/kæt.əˈfɔːr.ɪk/
Definition
Referring to a word or phrase that points forward to another word or phrase that will be mentioned later in the text.
Examples
- She was tired; it was the long week that exhausted her.
- When he finally arrived, John was surprised to see that everyone was already there.
Meaning
In language, cataphoric reference occurs when a pronoun or other linguistic unit anticipates a subsequent expression that clarifies its meaning.
Synonyms
- Forward reference
- Anticipatory
