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The literal definition of ‘antecedent’ is ‘something that comes before’, which is often the case for most pronouns and other pro- forms. However, some pronouns refer to something that is understood from the context and does not necessarily need to be named explicitly. In the case of interrogative words, they so-called antecedent isn’t mentioned early because … well … it isn’t known yet.
Demonstrative determiners, pronouns, and pro-adverbs are ones that can only be specified (or demonstrated) within the given context. Once removed from that context, those words make less sense and probably need to be replaced.
In this day and age, the term ‘wherefore’ is probably best known from the Shakespearean line “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” Here, Juliet is not asking where he is, but rather why his name must be Romeo (and it’s not so much a question as a grievance).
We can remember that ‘wherefore’ mean ‘why’ by thinking on the corresponding demonstrative. Just as ‘where’ corresponds to ‘there’, ‘wherefore’ corresponds to ‘therefore’. Most English speakers recognize ‘therefore’ as a linker to establish a logical result (similar to ‘so’). If ‘therefore’ means ‘for this reason,’ then ‘wherefore’ means ‘for what reason?’
When using ‘WH’ Words as relative linkers, we use ‘which’ in place of ‘what’ (even when there isn’t a selection to choose from).
Common relative linkers include which, who(m), where, and whose, although when can also be used. The only non-‘WH’ relative linker is ‘that’.
There’s no strong difference in meaning between what and which, other than which tends to reinforce the fact that there are multiple options to choose from.
How many is used for countable nouns, while how much is used for uncountable nouns.
Just as pronouns are a fixed set of words that can represent more specific nouns, proadverbs are a fixed set of words that can represent more specific modifiers. Non-‘WH’ pro-adverbs include so and such.
Pro-adverbs often represent modifier phrases like Prepositional Phrases, but can also take the place of Participial Phrases or Infinitive Phrases. They can even represent modifier clauses (like Adverb Clauses or Relative Clauses).
Even More Things to Know
‘WH’-Fronting — also known as ‘WH’-Raising or ‘WH’-Extraction — is the process of moving a ‘WH’ Word to the front of the clause instead of leaving it where its antecedent would be placed. This is typically used for Subject and Predicate Questions.
For example, if the target answer sentence is “I have to go to the store,” one possible corresponding question is “You have to go where?” This is a type of Echo Question. But more commonly, an English speaker would use ‘WH’-Fronting to reform the question as “Where do you have to go?”
When the ‘WH’ Word is a determiner or how, it’s following category noun or adjective is also moved to the front so that the clause would begin with “Whose handbag …”, “How many books …”, “How long …”, etc.