The word "co-referent" is an adjective that is used in language and grammar. It describes a situation where two or more words or expressions refer to the same person, thing, or idea in a sentence.
When you say "John" and "he" in a sentence, both refer to the same person. In this case, "John" and "he" are co-referents because they point to the same individual.
In more complex sentences, co-reference can involve multiple pronouns or nouns. For instance: - "The teacher told the students that they should submit their homework on time." Here, "the teacher" and "they" (referring to the students) are co-referents.
The term "co-referent" is primarily used in linguistic contexts. It doesn't have many different meanings outside of this field.
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "co-referent," but understanding co-reference is important for grasping how pronouns and nouns work together in sentences.
"Co-referent" is a helpful term in understanding how different words in a sentence can refer to the same thing.