Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

ENDOPHORIC REFERENCE

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Anaphoric reference

Anaphoric references are by far the more common type of endophoric reference,

and are created most typically by pronouns and determiners:

New talks

are under way. The outcome of 

these discussions may well determine

future US attitudes towards trade with the EEC.

There is lexical cohesion in this example between the two synonymous words

talks

and discussions, but the cohesion of these two sentences also depends on

the anaphoric reference of the determiner these, which makes talks and

discussions

co-referential (i.e. they refer to the same thing, they have the same

referent). 

Cataphoric reference

Cataphoric references are considerably less common, especially in informal

spoken language:

[radio phone-in programme host]

This is the number to call if you want to give us your opinion: 

0207600600

.

Now 

here is a recipe which you are certain to find tempting. It’s one my mum 

used for making pecan pie. 

[

recipe then follows

]

In fiction and journalism, cataphoric reference to a person or thing by means of a

pronoun often creates a sense of suspense and involvement:

He was arrested late last night. 

James Gregg

knew little about the

circumstances of his arrest because at the time he was unconscious.