Why is ending a sentence with a preposition wrong

So, avoid prepositions at the end of sentences. Just play the game. Ready for the Test? Here is a confirmatory test for this lesson. This test can also be: Edited i. Printed to create a handout. Sent electronically to friends or students. Did you spot a typo? These prepositions all fall within the sentence, not at the end. But sometimes, prepositions find themselves at the end of a sentence.

This is known as a dangling preposition or a hanging preposition. Here are some examples of sentences that end with prepositions. Strict grammarians may cringe at these sentences, but ending a preposition is a question of style, not proper grammar.

There are specific instances in which you can end a sentence with a preposition in modern writing, and other contexts in which you should avoid these dangling prepositions. Splitting relative clauses is one of the most common ways to end a sentence with a preposition.

They begin with relative pronouns who, whom, that, which and can function as the subject or object of a sentence.

When you put the relative pronouns back, the preposition moves as well. These new sentences sound more formal, but still correct. Another common way to end a sentence with a preposition is to shorten an infinitive phrase. When infinitive phrases function as adverbs, they follow the noun that they modify. Adding relative pronouns in these sentences technically works, but they sound more awkward.

In addition to ending a sentence in a preposition, writing in passive voice is also a no-no to traditional grammarians. But if you need to write in passive voice , be sure that you actually need to end the sentence in a preposition.

Many times, sentences end with a preposition because there are simply too many prepositions in it! These are the easiest sentences to edit.

That is exactly what I am concerned about. Awkward rephrasing: That is exactly the thing about which I am concerned. That cake is just to die for. That about wraps things up! Awkward rephrasing that also makes it sound like we're talking about wrapping presents or something: That about wraps up things. That is the book I was telling you about.

Awkward rephrasing: That is the book about which I was telling you. I hope I've convinced you that relocating prepositions from the ends of sentences can produce some ugly writing. However, despite this rule's having no real basis in English grammar, many people continue to believe it is wrong to leave a preposition at the end of a sentence. I'll leave it up to you as to whether you want to appease these people by avoiding unnecessary dangling prepositions.

However, I will point out that, for example, one could easily rewrite the following sentences:. I've wrapped the present up. I've wrapped up the present. Conventional wisdom would figure that a Canadian citizen is a Canadian, regardless of status. Plus, you're not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition. In a similar vein, many people who like to use terminal prepositions will give some mangled version of a quote from Winston Churchill, "This is the sort of nonsense up with which I will not put.

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Log in Sign Up. What to Know Ending a sentence with a preposition such as "with," "of," and "to," is permissible in the English language. More Words At Play. Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Oct. Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Nov.

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