Can you end a sentence with a preposition?

What are prepositions, and how do you use them?

Prepositions indicate relationships between different elements within a sentence like location, direction, and time. They are commonly used in writing and include words like “at,” “after,” “to,” and “from.” Prepositions typically precede the noun they are related to. Here are some examples of how they are used:

• I walked the dog to the park.
• We had lunch after our meeting.

In both examples, it would be incorrect to place the preposition at the end of the sentence, as it wouldn’t seem to refer to an object. However, in many cases, it is grammatically correct to have a preposition at the end of a sentence. A preposition that is found at the end of the sentence is called a preposition stranding. While many grammarians discourage “stranding” prepositions, it is largely based on traditional convention rather than grammatical correctness.

Why does preposition stranding exist?

The rule against preposition stranding has its roots in Latin grammar rules, which state that prepositions cannot be placed at the end of sentences. Two 17th-century writers, Joshua Poole and John Dryden, advocated for the application of Latin grammar rules to English. This rule gained widespread acceptance among grammarians in the centuries that followed but gradually lost popularity by the 20th century.

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When to use preposition stranding

Preposition stranding makes sense to use in two circumstances: phrasal verbs and informal writing. These are some examples of acceptable ways to use prepositions at the end of a sentence:

Phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are regular verbs that pair up with adverbs or prepositions to form a verb phrase. A phrasal verb that ends with a preposition can be included at the end of a sentence. Here’s how this works:

• When you plug in that green cord, the Christmas tree lights up.
• The news of Emma’s engagement was quickly passed along.

Informal language

You may inadvertently use prepositions at the end of a sentence when you are casually communicating with someone. When using informal language, prepositions often fit more naturally at the end of a sentence. Here are some examples:

• What time are you stopping by?
• I’m not sure where that package came from.
• We said hi to each other at the reunion, but I haven’t seen him since.

When to not use preposition stranding

Preposition stranding is considered correct grammar, but only when used properly. Let’s go over some instances where they wouldn’t work:

Dangling prepositions

A dangling preposition is a prepositional phrase that does not have an object. When a preposition is used at the end of a sentence without an object, it looks incomplete. Here is an example of a dangling preposition, and how to write the same sentence correctly:

• Dangling preposition: What day are you leaving at?
• Correct grammar: What day are you leaving?

In the example above, the preposition is not necessary and can be removed from the sentence altogether. Without an object, the preposition looks and sounds awkward.

Formal writing

In most cases, having a preposition at the end of a sentence would be too casual for a formal paper.

The stigma of ending a sentence with a preposition is outdated, but there are still certain situations where this rule should be followed. If you’re not sure whether your preposition use is correct, using a grammar editing tool can give you the extra assurance you need. Learn more about grammar rules by using our writing tips.