Can I end a sentence with a preposition?

Question

Can I end a sentence with a preposition?

Answer 1

Yes, you may definitely end a sentence with a preposition, when appropriate. There is no such rule against it anymore. I have worked in the professional world of publishing before I became interested in education, and so I am perhaps more aware of changes that have happened to the English language in the past few decades.  It is an obsolete rule that was based on Latin. However, people eventually figured out that trying to apply Latin grammar rules to English is just silly. 

For more information, please see: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/ending-prepositions.aspx

and

http://lisakusko.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/lies-your-english-teacher-told-you/

 

Answer 2

The response from Winston Churchill, an undisputed master of the English language, when an editor tried to change one of his sentences ending with a preposition, reads as follows:

”This is the type of arrant pedantry up with which I will not put.” 

Answer 3

It is important to add to this thread that in Spanish and other romance languages, the rule is, indeed, important to follow. Students who are learning English may need to learn that it is okay in English.

"Look at those important people she is hanging out with"

"Mira a la gente importante con quien anda."

Answer 4

Technically it's considered grammatically incorrect, though we do it all the time (especially when speaking). If you're writing an academic or professional document I would say it's better to see if there's a way to rearrange the sentence so that it works without ending with the preposition. In informal contexts, such as sending a text to a friend, it's totally fine. These "rules" are getting less and less nitpicky with time.

Answer 5

Because language is a living thing that changes with the times, grammar constructions once considered correct become obsolete. It used to be frowned upon to end a sentence with a preposition, but now it is acceptable.

Answer 6

We regularly run into the situation when a sentence we initially write ends in what appears to be a preposition. Sometimes this occurs when we use phrasal verbs. These multiple-word verbs consist of a verb plus a preposition (called a particle in this usage) or adverb - which creates a meaning different from the original verb.

Often the phrasal verb terminates the sentence as in

“We will have the hotel keys once we check in.”

In this case, we could avoid using the “preposition” at the end by using the more formal word “register”, thus:

“We will have the hotel keys once we register.”

Read more at http://www.usingenglish.com, www.EnglishClub.com and others.

 

Answer 7

Where are you from?

Answer 8

You definitely can.

Here's an example: Who did you talk to?

Answer 9

You can do anything you want with words. You can end a sentence with noun, verb, pronoun, adverb, proposition, whatever made up word you want.

Unless you're locked into the King James English. Like that escape artist Houdini locked in chains then dumped into the water, left to die. But we aren't all Houdini's. Few are.

Languages evolve. text messages thrive on brevity. That's really language's purpose, to convey meaning in the briefest, concisest manner. Add in accuracy, but that is sacrificed due to brevity. (the ABC's, accent on B's)

Linguists seem to believe language has devolved, unlike biology where Darwinists seem to believe we evolve. It's downhill for language. Maybe there once was a single language, as evolutionists trace us back to an "African Eve" and Judeo-Christians to a pre- Tower of Babel.

Dictionaries add new words yearly. Grammar evolves too.

Real question is whether the sentence or string of words or letters conveys the meaning in a briefer, conciser, accurate manner? Or do you want to waste everyone's time & effort listening to verbiage that is more like garbage, just to satisfy King James or the reigning monarch of the English language? If it's awkward or weird, strange or overly pedantic to avoid a preposition ending in a particular communication, maybe the monarch is too tyrannical.

The Spanish followed their Spanish King's Spanish and mimicked his lisp in pronouncing d as t. Do you really want to be that slavish a peasant?

In a very metaphorical idea (not to be taken literally) we should revolt, as the English teachers are revolting. Rise up. You have nothing to lose but your chains to archaic grammar rules. Hang the "teachers' in effigy, like the students do after their football coach blows another game too many. Freedom is liberating. Worst obedient slaves to grammar are court filings. Or employment resumes. A major reason for legal injustice and inefficient economies and unemployment.

Answer 10

My dad, who went to Vanderbilt, told me a joke on this topic:

A freshman girl from Tennessee is moving into her Vanderbilt dorm when in walk her preppy new roommate and her mother. The Tennessee girl introduces herself and asks, "Where are y'all from?"

The preppy roommate sniffs and says, "Where I'm from, we don't end a sentence with a preposition."

The Tennessee girl nods and says, "I'm sorry, where are y'all from, bitch?"

That tells you all that you need to know.

Answer 11

Virginia,

Yes, you can end a sentence with a proposition depending on context. In linguistics, we talk about the concept of register, which refers to the type of language used in certain linguistic situations. If you are in informal settings like talking to your friends at a bar, then you can end sentences with a proposition. This is common in everyday speech. In fact, you can even make this grammatical choice in fiction if you wish to set a more casual tone.

However, there are times when you cannot end a sentence with a proposition. You will see this grammatical form in academic writing because of the communicative setting (or event). In this situation, the audience expects a more formal tone, and thus a more formal register (or language). Again, context determines grammatical form.

Answer 12

It is quite a common practice, so I wouldn't worry about it unless your teacher is a stickler. Here are three ways to say the same thing, but be warned that one of these "rights" sounds oh so wrong lol

1. Ending with the preposition: My teacher said that ending a sentence with a preposition is a practice they will not put up with.
2. Rephrasing: My teacher said they will not put up with the practice of ending a sentence with a preposition.
3. Grammatically correct, but um...awkward and pretentious: My teacher said that ending a sentence with a preposition is a practice up with which they shall not put.

Answer 13

Yes, you may end a sentence with a preposition in some cases; for a few examples:

I wish I could go to the dance tonight, but I have no one to go with.

My sister gave me a beautiful, delicate necklace, and I found a nice jar to keep it in.

There was chaos all around me because of the earthquake, but I had nowhere to run to.

In these cases, the preposition usually follows a verb in the infinitive form, and it points to the intended person, place, or thing.

Answer 14

Wow! What a hodgepodge of answers. So many people with so many different views, some trying to impress, some just long winded and some that are right on the mark (whatever the mark is :-) ).

Language is constantly changing and those changes are usually generated by common usage. What was incorrect once becomes "correct" at a later time. In my opinion, the most important insights were the ones that advised taking into account those to whom you are writing for. --That sentence ends with a preposition, a needless one, or so it seems, but it adds clarity since writing to a person or group does not tell one the purpose of your piece.

Now I'm getting long winded so I'll quit right here.

Answer 15

Hello, Lynne,

I am surprised, but pleased, with the responses you received on this topic. I believe that many agree with my belief that ending a sentence in a preposition is technically incorrect, so avoid it where convenient. But some phrases have become accepted idioms, so don't fight what sounds natural.

This brings me to the question of starting sentences with "But," or "And" Did you notice I started a sentence above with "But?" And did that bother anyone? Did my "And" seem out of place? No, it conveyed a sense that I'm perhaps a little testy on the matter. And in that regard, it works.

Sometimes those two words (But and And) can be used to emphasize or strengthen a point. It is perfectly OK to use them in some cases. But don't go overboard. See? Short and simple. Better than "However, don't go overboard," unless you need to fill a page with longer words. And easier to read. [Agree?]

Bob

Answer 16

A humorist once stated the rule thus: “Never use a preposition to end up a sentence with.”

Answer 17

The succinct answer is yes, you may end sentences with a preposition. However, I encourage you to write in an active tense and place prepositions in the middle. Thus way you write thinking of the needs of your audience.

Answer 18

We constantly ask people questions that end with prepositions:

"Where are you from?"

"What time did you get in at?"

We don't say "From where do you come?" at a sorority party because everyone within earshot would move to the other side of the room and think you're pretentious and annoying.

Usage and grammar are two different things. Substandard English is fine and we use it intermittently all day long, but always consider your audience when thinking about level of formality.

In an academic paper, avoid using prepositions to end a sentence. It's typically discouraged and sounds unprofessional.

Answer 19

Until relatively recently it was considered unpolished to end a sentence with a preposition. However, there are no grammar rules being broken by using a preposition at the end of a sentence. English is a modern language and it is constantly evolving. It is also a speaking-focused language (versus writing-focused) which means that its colloquial form is not necessarily regarded unpolished unless the grammar used by the speaker is poor.

Answer 20

Wow. With one or two exceptions toward the end, the thirteen prior answers to this question are wrong. Ending a sentence with a preposition violates no grammar rule. That's why no grammar rule is cited. There's no rule against starting a sentence with And or But, yet this hasn't deterred the legions who say otherwise.

Answer 21

It is generally unacceptable to end a sentence with a preposition.  However, this is accomplished all the time.  The reason for this is because of custom.  In many cases, it has become customary to use grammatically incorrectly formed phrases and sentences.  For example, we ought to say "Whom do you love?" instead of "Who do you love?".  But, since it has become customary to say "Who do you love?", it has become acceptable to violate traditional grammatical rules.  The question that then arises is if this is acceptable, along the lines of your question but regarding prepositions.  My answer is that so long as the meaning is communicated successfully, there ought not to be too much of a controversy.  But, having said that, it is inappropriate to end a sentence with a preposition.

Answer 22

While the technical answer is no, there are times when a sentence sounds better ending with a preposition.  Once when Winston Churchill was adonished by an aide that he ended too many sentences with prepositions, Churchill replied, "That is the kind of thing up with which we cannot put."  Churchill's obvious point is that ending the sentence with the preposition "with" sounds far better than the infelicitous sound of ending the sentence with "put."  The answer, then, is try to avoid ending sentences with prepositions unless it harms the sound and rhythm of the sentence.

Answer 23

My opinion is that it depends on the preposition. I offer the following sentences with IN, OF, WITH and AT:

IN: What are you going to put your paint in?
OF: Who are you thinking of? (Of whom are you thinking?)
WITH: Which hand do you write with?

AT: My dad taught me to NEVER end a sentence with AT. I would ask, "Where is the dog at?" and he would say, "Between the A and the T in AT."

Answer 24

In formal grammar it is wrong to put prepositions at the end of sentences.  In colloquial speech we do it all the time, and so by common usage thishas been practiced  for such a long period of time that it often sounds weird to put the preposition where it belongs.  

 

Therefore,  it is fine in writing collequial speech, i.e.  "What did you do that for?"  is certainly what you would write rather than "For what did you do that?", which sounds strangely stilted and would actually read as wrong and interrupt that concentrative flow of the reader.  

 

In formal writing it is best to avoid putting prepositions at the end.  

 

However, if you are not a native speaker of English, say, and doing university courses, and your facility with formal English sentence structure is still not that good, I suggest that you go for clarity, even if it means the occasional preposition dangling at the end of a sentence.  

 

 

Answer 25

No... technically. If the teacher allows it, it is much easier (and more contemporary) to do so. You are supposed to reword your sentence in order for that not to happen but what is the fun in that? I would TRY to restructure first

Answer 26

This sentence ends with a preposition. ;)

 

 

Answer 27

I would like to support and clarify previous correct answers: Yes, it's technically incorrect, but many people prefer to use the way that sounds best, which teachers often allow (or put up with.)

However, it is also worth noting that many prepositions become adverbs in a different context. Ending a sentence with an adverb is appropriate, and in some cases, that's why it "sounds good."

A previous example suggests we "register" at a hotel, but it's perfectly correct to say "I will check in." This sentence does not end with a preposition. In this context, "in" is actually an adverb that modifies the word "check." It's also an accepted/correct idiom. (More on correct idioms later. Hint: someone should ask about "SAT idioms.")

Answer 28

I will advise you not to end a sentence with a preposition because at certain level you mentor will put a question mark in front of it. or will say what? where? who? However, some sentences occasionally, but not often are bound to be finished with a preposition.

Answer 29

sometimes you have to

Answer 30

Technically, no. The previous answer is a common question, and not many people would instead say it differently. In most cases, the preposition isn't even necessary. E.g. Where are you going to? What'd you do that for? (Instead, "Why'd you do that?")

Answer 31

It is awkward and wrong to end a sentence with a preposition.  One can rearrange the words in a sentence to avoid ending with a preposition.  A preposition always has an object, so leaving the preposiotn dangling is "bad form."