Antecedent (logic)

An antecedent is the first half of a hypothetical proposition.

Examples:


 * If P, then Q.

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


 * 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.