Which nonharmonic tone appears just before a chord tone?

The correct choice identifies the nonharmonic tone that appears just before a chord tone as an anticipation. An anticipation is a tone that is not part of the current harmony but is a tone from the subsequent chord that arrives just before that chord is played. Essentially, it foreshadows a harmonic change by introducing a note that will be harmonically relevant in the following chord.

Anticipation is typically found in melodies where a certain note from the upcoming chord is played just before the actual chord changes. This creates a smooth, connected sound, providing a sense of forward momentum in the music. The anticipation allows the listener to hear a preparation for the harmonic shift, reinforcing the transition to the new harmony.

The other options represent different types of nonharmonic tones that serve distinct roles in music. However, they do not specifically define tones that precede a chord tone as anticipation does. This distinction is crucial for understanding how different nonharmonic tones function within musical phrases.