Referring to a word or phrase that points forward to something mentioned later in a sentence or text, like a linguistic arrow pointing ahead.
From Greek 'cata-' (down, forward) + 'pherein' (to carry, bear). Coined in linguistics in the 20th century as the opposite of 'anaphoric' (pointing backward).
Cataphoric reference is like a grammar mystery—you encounter a hint before the answer appears! For example, 'Before he arrived, John called ahead' uses 'he' cataphorically, making readers wonder 'he who?' until John's name arrives.
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