What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cataphoric
Example
In the sentence 'He was tired, so John went to bed,' the pronoun 'he' is cataphoric as it refers to 'John' later in the sentence. [cataphoric: adjective]
Example
The cataphoric reference in the paragraph helps to maintain coherence and flow in the text. [cataphoric: adjective]
anaphoric
Example
In the sentence 'John was tired, so he went to bed,' the pronoun 'he' is anaphoric as it refers back to 'John' earlier in the sentence. [anaphoric: adjective]
Example
The anaphoric reference in the paragraph helps to avoid repetition and make the text more concise. [anaphoric: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Anaphoric is more commonly used than cataphoric in everyday language. Anaphoric references are widely used in both formal and informal contexts to maintain clarity and avoid repetition. On the other hand, cataphoric references are less common and are often found in more formal or academic writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cataphoric and anaphoric?
While anaphoric references are versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, cataphoric references are typically associated with a more formal tone and are commonly used in academic or technical writing.
