Posted on 11/18/2024 8:47:25 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Star Wars fans might recall Obi-Wan’s Jedi mind trick in A New Hope when he tells stormtroopers, “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.” Were Star Wars writers wrong about the placement of the preposition “for”? Should Obi-Wan instead have said, “These aren’t the droids for which you’re looking”? The latter sounds unnatural (and much more Yoda-esque, to be honest). Situations like these have caused grammar reformers to question or outright rebel against this “rule” about not ending sentences with prepositions.
Prepositions explain one noun’s relation to another, often indicating where or when. They can tell you if a cat is above, below, beside, or under the bed, and they also indicate if the cat hid there before, during, or after dinner. Some argue against ending a sentence with a preposition because it indicates a relationship between two words. They reason that a sentence might seem unfinished if a second noun isn’t included after the preposition. However, ending a sentence with a preposition isn’t the grave grammar mistake that some make it out to be.
Consider this sentence: “The vase was on the table until the cat knocked it off.” Ending with the preposition “off” sounds natural. By the same token, “That’s what I’m talking about” sounds better than “That’s about which I’m talking,” and the structure of “I have no eggs to bake with” is more common than “I have no eggs with which to bake.” As you can see, context and structure matter.
However, just because it isn’t wrong doesn’t mean it’s always right. Sometimes, that ending preposition is redundant. Asking a friend, “Where are you at?” or “Where are you going to?” falls into this trap with unnecessary prepositions. “Where are you?” and “Where are you going?” are complete questions. To avoid this mistake, try removing the end preposition and see if the sentence still makes sense.
To give some context, the argument for the rule dates back to the 17th century. Grammarians tried to instill Latin preposition placement rules into English, resulting in some believing these were hard-and-fast English rules. In modern English, preposition placement comes down to writing style — there’s no need to adhere to an arbitrary centuries-old rule. Today, most grammar guides and syntax experts agree that ending a sentence with a preposition is OK if it sounds natural and doesn’t break any true grammar rules.
made sense at one time.
Is there still a limit on # of characters in a text message ?
Ending a sentence with a preposition is something of which we shall not condone.
In my school years we moved around so much I did not have an English grammar education, but I did get a double dose of English Literature. I can tell if a sentence is properly constructed simply from what I have read in literature classes and novels.
As a technical writer with three decades of experience, I put prepositions wherever I want!
Romani ite domum. (One of my favorite scenes from that movie.)
That reminds me, I had a ninth grade English teacher that did not allow anyone to use a contraction, either spoken or written. He was a real jerk that got caught screwing around with a tenth grade girl.
We had two English teachers in 9th grade, one was gay the other was just plain weird. We have needed school reforms for 50 years, sheesh. They are not our best and brightest.
I was in the ninth grade about 55 years ago, so that’s how I learned.
around with?
around with?
Haha, so true!
This thread cracks me up!
As a former English teacher, I will add that formal speaking and writing is very different than vernacular. I ignore grammar mistakes on emails and posts, whereas I would not on an academic research paper.
Languages do change over time and dialects differ from area to area. The only time a standard is needed is when something needs to be communicated clearly, like in media, medicine, education, and such.
When I was in front of my classroom, I paid close attention to my grammar. When with others or posting online, not so much. And I love my southern double modals, so if y’all might could cut me a break on that 😂
Title might should read: “Is it ever OK to use a preposition to end a sentence with?”
We shall not condone ending a sentence with a preposition.
These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.
You are not looking for these droids.
It depends on where the preposition is at.
If it is not on the SAT I don’t care.
The question in itself ends a sentence with the word ‘preposition’ - so I would say that yes, it is feasbile and allowed to do so.
Oh Hell! I found a birthday card that my sister and I send back and forth to each other. Two women are talking while sitting in a bar. One of them asks, “Where is your birthday party at?” The other scolds her and says “Don’t end a sentence with a preposition. Inside the card, the first woman says, “Where is your birthday party at bitch”.
Where yat?
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