Definition:Conditional/Antecedent

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

Also known as
The terms:
 * premise
 * assumption
 * hypothesis

can often be found in the literature as a word for this concept, but on 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

 * Definition:Consequent


 * Definition:Leading Term
 * Definition:Following Term