What is a noun that can be replaced by a pronoun known as?

A noun that can be replaced by a pronoun is known as an antecedent. This term refers specifically to the noun that the pronoun stands in for or represents later in the sentence. For example, in the sentence "Sara loves her dog; she takes it for walks every day," "Sara" is the antecedent of the pronoun "she," and "dog" is the antecedent of "it." Understanding the relationship between nouns and pronouns is crucial for maintaining clarity and coherence in writing, as it ensures that references within sentences are clear and that the meaning is easily understood. This knowledge becomes especially important in more complex sentences where multiple nouns and pronouns may be involved.