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anaphora

C2
UK/əˈnæf.ər.ə/US/əˈnæf.ɚ.ə/

Formal, academic, literary

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Definition

Meaning

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences for rhetorical effect.

In linguistics, the use of a word or phrase that refers back to an earlier word or phrase (its antecedent).

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Has two main senses: 1) Rhetorical device (literary/stylistic) 2) Linguistic phenomenon (grammar/discourse). The rhetorical sense is older and more literary; the linguistic sense is technical.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the same spelling and both senses.

Connotations

Equally formal/academic in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally rare in general discourse; slightly more frequent in UK academic writing due to stronger tradition of classical rhetoric study.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
use anaphoraemploy anaphorarhetorical anaphoraanaphora and cataphora
medium
classical anaphorapoetic anaphoraanaphora resolutionanaphoric reference
weak
powerful anaphoraeffective anaphorafrequent anaphora

Grammar

Valency Patterns

The anaphora of [noun phrase]Anaphora occurs when...Use anaphora to emphasize...

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

epanaphora

Neutral

repetitionparallel structure

Weak

echoingrestatement

Vocabulary

Antonyms

variationcataphora (in linguistics)

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “None”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Common in linguistics, literature, rhetoric, and discourse analysis papers.

Everyday

Extremely rare; would mark speaker as highly educated.

Technical

Core term in computational linguistics (anaphora resolution) and stylistic analysis.

Examples

By Part of Speech

adjective

British English

  • anaphoric device
  • anaphoric reference

American English

  • anaphoric expression
  • anaphoric element

Examples

By CEFR Level

B2
  • The speech used anaphora with the repeated phrase 'We shall fight'.
C1
  • In computational linguistics, anaphora resolution is crucial for natural language processing.
  • Churchill's 'We shall fight on the beaches' is a classic example of rhetorical anaphora.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

ANAPHORA = ANA (again) + PHORA (carrying) → carrying again → repeating.

Conceptual Metaphor

REPETITION IS EMPHASIS / GRAMMATICAL DEPENDENCY IS A CHAIN

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not confuse with 'анафора' (religious liturgical vessel).
  • In linguistics, Russian 'анафора' matches exactly.
  • The rhetorical device is 'единоначатие' or 'анафора' in Russian literary terms.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing with 'cataphora' (forward reference).
  • Using in informal contexts.
  • Misspelling as 'anaphoria' or 'anaphor'.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The poet's use of with the recurring 'Never again' created a powerful rhythmic effect.
Multiple Choice

In linguistics, 'anaphora' primarily refers to:

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it appears in speeches, prose, and is a key concept in linguistics for any text.

Anaphora is a specific type of repetition at the beginning of successive clauses. General repetition can occur anywhere.

It's extremely rare and would sound academic. People might use the device without naming it.

No standard verb form exists. Linguists might say 'anaphorize' informally, but it's non-standard.

Collections

Part of a collection

Rhetoric and Argumentation

C2 · 49 words · Advanced tools of persuasion and argumentation.

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