Ending a Sentence with a Preposition

What Is a Preposition?

Before discussing whether or not it’s acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition, it’s helpful to clarify what this term actually means. Essentially, a preposition is a word that is used to create a relationship between other words. In many cases, prepositions deal with concepts relating to space and time.

Examples of common prepositions within the English language include:

aboard
about
above
across
after
against
along
among
around
as
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
beyond
but
by
despite
down
during
except
failing
following
for
from
in
inside
into
like
minus
near
next
of
off
on
onto
opposite
out
outside
over
past
plus
regarding
since
than
through
throughout
till
to
toward
towards
under
underneath
unlike
until
up
upon
via
with
within
without
worth

Multi-word phrases may also be classified as prepositions, as in the following examples:

according to
ahead of
along with
as for
aside from
because of
close to
due to
except for
far from
near to
next to
out of
outside of
owing to
prior to
regardless of
as far as
as well as
in addition to
in case of
in front of
on account of
on behalf of
on top of

Is Ending a Sentence with a Preposition Ever Acceptable?

At one time, schoolchildren were taught that a sentence should never end with a preposition. However, this is a philosophy actually associated with Latin grammar. While many aspects of Latin have made their way into the English language, this particular grammar rule is not suited for modern English usage.

There are times when trying to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition creates unnecessary and awkward phrasing. For example, Winston Churchill once reportedly exclaimed, "That is the sort of thing up with which I will not put!" to mock someone who criticized him for ending a sentence with a preposition. Since the purpose of writing is to clearly communicate your thoughts and ideas, it’s perfectly acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition if the alternative would create confusion.

However, it may still be worth revising your sentences to avoid ending them a preposition whenever possible if you wish to reduce the risk of controversy. Since there are still a number of people who believe ending a sentence with a preposition is incorrect, considering your audience’s thoughts on the issue is a wise idea—particularly when you’re trying to gain a new client or land an important job interview. For example, “Which department is she in?” could simply be rewritten to read as “She is in which department?” without influencing clarity or comprehension.

Additional Information

If you’re interested in learning more about the topic of ending a sentence with a preposition, yourDictionary recommends visiting the following helpful Web sites:

Ending a Sentence with a Preposition

What Is a Preposition?

Is Ending a Sentence with a Preposition Ever Acceptable?

Additional Information

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