An antecedent is the first half of a hypothetical proposition. A hypothesis (= assumption in ancient Greek) is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. ... Proposition is a term used in logic to describe the content of assertions. ...

Examples:

• If P, then Q.

This is a standard logical formulation of a hypothetical proposition. In this case, the antecedent is P.

• If X is a man, then X is mortal.

"X is a man" is the antecedent for this proposition.

• If men have walked on the moon, then I am the king of France.

Here, "men have walked on the moon" is the antecedent.

See also

• Consequent