Answer:
In grammar an antecedent is an earlier word, phrase, or clause to which a following pronoun refers back to.
He grabbed the ball and threw it in the air'. The noun ball is the antecedent of the pronoun it.
The apples are cheap, but they are not ripe yet. the noun apples is the antecedent of the pronoun they.
The antecedents of pronouns usually come before the pronouns. However, a pronoun may also stand for a noun which follows the pronoun.
Because they are sour, the apples will be used for cooking.
In this example, the pronoun they stands for the noun apples, which occurs later In the sentence.
So look for a pronoun such as it or he or she or they. Ask your self what does this pronoun refer to? The answer is the antecedent.
The girl sat by the side of the road, she looked lonely.
Pronoun is she what does she refer to ? answer is 'girl' - girl is the antecedent.