Revisiting the Rule: Why Ending Sentences with Prepositions Isn’t Always Wrong

It is often mistakenly believed that ending a sentence with a preposition is a serious grammatical error, a belief that has led to some conventional writing advice. However, in modern usage, this rule is often debated and not strictly followed.

Why the Old Rule Is No Longer Binding

Traditionally, English grammarians have cautioned against ending a sentence with a preposition, often citing historical reasons from the influence of Latin sentence structure. This rule, however, has loosened significantly over time, especially in casual and spoken English.

The reasoning behind this past rule is based on a more rigid and formal approach to language. As language in general has evolved to become more flexible and natural, this rule has become more of a guideline than a hard and fast principle.

Exceptions and Natural Usage

One of the biggest modern debates regarding this rule surrounds its application in casual speech and informal writing.

In formal writing, and particularly in serious contexts such as academic papers, business reports, or official documents, sticking to the rule might be advisable. However, in less formal settings, such as emails, articles, or personal letters, the natural flow and clarity of the sentence often take precedence over adherence to this antiquated rule.

For example, consider the following sentences:

"You're the person I was thinking about." "You're the person about whom I was thinking."

The first sentence sounds more natural and conversational, while the second is more formal. Both sentences are grammatically correct. In casual conversation, you’d very likely use the first version.

In many cases, breaking the rule can make your writing more accessible and engaging for your intended audience.

Common Examples in Everyday Usage

Foreigners learning English are often told to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition, but in reality, we use such constructions all the time. Here are some common examples:

Why it's acceptable:

"What is it for?"
instead of "What is it for which?" "Who did you get it from?"
instead of "Who did you get it from whom?" "Where are you going to?"
instead of "Where are you going to which?" "Who have you come with?"
instead of "Who have you come with whom?"

Even in reported speech, we often hear:

Examples in reported speech:

"He asked what it was for." (not "He asked whom about the purpose of it.") "He asked who she’d got it from." (not "He asked whom from she got it.") "She asked where they were going to." (not "She asked to which place they were heading.") "She asked them who they’d come with." (not "She asked them with whom they arrived.")

In formal written English, avoiding a preposition at the end of a sentence might appear pedantic and can sometimes sound unnatural. For instance, saying "From whom did you get it" or "With whom have you come" can sound very formal and might not fit naturally in the context of the sentence.

Adhering to Traditional Rules in Modern Writing

Adhering to the traditional rule of not ending sentences with prepositions can make your writing more formal, which can be beneficial in certain situations. However, it is not strictly necessary in everyday communication. Instead, prioritize clarity and the natural flow of the sentence.

If you break the rule and end a sentence with a preposition, there are a couple of ways to fix it:

Move the preposition to an earlier position in the sentence. Restructure the sentence to avoid ending with a preposition.

For example, the original sentence: "This is the book I found it in." could be restructured to: "This is the book in which I found it."

Remember, while following this rule can enhance the formality of your writing, it is not a strict requirement. The key is to write clearly and smoothly, adapting the style to your audience and context.