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In a conditional $p \implies q$, the statement $p$ is the antecedent.

Also known as

The terms:


can often be found in the literature as a word for this concept, but on $\mathsf{Pr} \infty \mathsf{fWiki}$ we reserve the use of premise, assumption and hypothesis for elements of the structure of logical arguments.

The term antecedent clause can sometimes be seen, particularly when the conditional it is part of consists of a statement in natural language.

The archaic terms implicans and protasis can sometimes be found.

Also defined as

Let $P = a \circ b$ be an expression.

The term $a$ is known as the antecedent of $P$.

Also see

Linguistic Note

The word antecedent is usually found in classical mathematical literature, notably Euclid's The Elements.

The word comes from the Greek, and literally means leading term.

It is pronounced an-tee-see-dent.