In the realm of academic writing, there has been an endless discussion about ending a sentence with a preposition. Conventionally, the majority agrees that concluding a sentence with a preposition is incorrect according to Latin grammar rules. Nevertheless, with time, English usage has evolved and it has become more accepted, if not preferred, for smooth and clear interpretation. In some academic contexts, it is still favoured to avoid it, but it is vital to emphasize the importance of conveying ideas effectively and clearly.
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Ending a Sentence with a Preposition – In a Nutshell
- Ending a sentence with a preposition often takes on an informal tone.
- In college/university papers, ending a sentence with a preposition should be avoided.
- Ending a sentence with a preposition is acceptable in conversation and informal English.
- Trailing prepositions in written work can cause awkward phrasing and irritation for readers.
Definition: Ending a sentence with a preposition
Firstly, prepositions communicate relationships between times, places or other concepts.
Examples
- We’re leaving at nine o’clock.
- The shopping is in the car.
- He’ll be out of the office on the fourth of July.
The general rule regarding never ending a sentence with a preposition is perhaps a myth. In conversation and informal written English, there are various circumstances where ending a sentence with a preposition is not necessarily wrong; it may even sound more natural.
Examples
- Who shall I send the email to?
- When must the job be done by?
- What are you waiting for?
Ending a sentence with a preposition: When is it wrong?
In contrast, you should not use terminal prepositions in formal writing, such as research papers. In academic texts, we refrain from ending sentences with a preposition, not so much because it is a mistake but as a question of good style.
Formal writing
Scholarly writing follows more rigid conventions than conversation. Dissertations, essays, theses, and similar documents have more structure and should adopt a formal register. Therefore, ending a sentence with a preposition is inappropriate.
Using a preposition without an object
Phrasal verbs such as to stand up, sit down, get up etc., can contribute to involving ending a sentence with a preposition. Also known as stranded prepositions, they have contain no objects. However, rephrasing is only sometimes necessary.
Examples
We decided to go out.
Please let the cat in. OR Please let in the cat.
I have hours of homework to get through.
However, beware of incomplete prepositional phrases and, consequently, fragmented sentences. All sentences must have a subject and verb. If the verb is transitive, it requires an object.
How to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition
To avoid ending a sentence with a preposition, rewriting is often possible. We could reword the third example above to “I must get through all this homework.”
Where a sentence could have had a relative clause introduced with relative pronouns – i.e., who, whom, that or which – we can often use a relative clause with good results.
| Terminal Preposition | Rewritten |
| They're the team I did the research with. | They are the team with whom I did the research. |
| The sixties is the era I'm focusing on. | The sixties is the era on which I'm focusing. OR I'm focusing on the sixties. |
| Literature is a topic William knows little about. | Literature is a topic about which William knows little. OR William knows little of history. |
Another approach is to shorten infinitive phrases.
| Terminal Preposition | Rewritten | Note(s) |
| There is much to be thankful for. | There is much for which we should be thankful. | Although more formal, this is correct. We could also reword it to 'There is much to appreciate.' |
| There is nothing to be afraid of. | There is nothing to fear. | Rephrased. |
| Yesterday's game was put off. | Yesterday's game was postponed. OR They postponed yesterday's game. |
Uses a verb of Latin etymology instead of a phrasal verb. Changed from passive voice to active voice. |
| The problem has been dealt with. | Management has dealt with the problem. | Changed from passive voice to active voice. |
Ending a sentence with a preposition: When is it acceptable?
Above, we have seen that ending a sentence with a preposition is acceptable in conversational questions. Other cases include informal communication and phrasal verbs in everyday spoken English.
Examples
- Where are you from originally?
- Who is she going out with?
- That’s the book I told you about.
The alternatives sound unwieldy and less natural.
Examples
- From where do you initially come?
- With whom is she going out?
- That is the book about which I told you.
Finally, various colloquial expressions end in prepositions. Though it is not necessary to change them, some alternatives at the end of sentences are:
Example
Let your brother come along.
OR
Let your brother come too.
Example
They should calm down.
OR
They should regain their composure.
They should control themselves.
Example
What did you do that for?
OR
Why did you do that?
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FAQs
Yes. In formal writing, eschewing terminal prepositions clarifies the context of your writing and avoids risking irritating your readers.
Why do most grammar experts and written work examiners dislike ending a sentence with a preposition?
Avoiding trailing prepositions usually prevents ambiguity in complex sentences. The resulting text is more precise and less informal.
The recommendation has its critics; some grammarians argue it is too arbitrary.
Common prepositions include in, at, on, by, through, under, over, to, of, out, around, about, for, before, after, up, down and between.
