Once a character is introduced, later sentences can simply say she. Anaphora is the use of an expression that refers back to an earlier element in the discourse, its antecedent.

Pronouns are the most familiar anaphors, but definite descriptions and ellipsis can serve the same function. Correct resolution keeps a text coherent; ambiguity arises when more than one antecedent is available. Languages differ in how they mark anaphoric links and in whether they allow zero anaphora.

Computational work invests heavily in anaphora resolution for translation and question answering. Discourse theory treats anaphora as a primary device for stitching sentences into larger texts. Careful writers manage anaphoric chains so readers never lose the referent.

• Backward reference to an earlier element
• Often realized by pronouns
• Requires a recoverable antecedent
• Essential for textual coherence