Ending with Prepositions: Who are you with?
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In modern English, it is perfectly natural and often preferred to place a preposition at the very end of a sentence or question.
- Use it in questions: 'Who are you talking to?' instead of 'To whom are you talking?'
- Use it in relative clauses: 'The person I work with' is more natural than 'The person with whom I work.'
- Keep it for phrasal verbs: 'What are you looking for?' cannot be changed to 'For what are you looking?'
Overview
Old rules say do not put small words at the end. These rules come from Latin. English is different. It is okay to use them this way.
Now, putting small words at the end is very natural. People speak this way every day. It is common and good.
This happens when you move a word to the start. The small word stays at the end. It helps people understand you.
If you do not do this, you sound very strange. You sound too formal for daily life.
How This Grammar Works
Formation Pattern
What are you talking about? (Original thought: You are talking about something.) Here, what is the object of about.
Who did you go to the cinema with? (Original thought: You went to the cinema with someone.) Who is the object of with.
Which city do you come from? (Original thought: You come from a city.) Which city is the object of from.
This is the project I'm working on. (Implied: ...that I'm working on.) The project is the object of on.
The person you were looking at just left. (Implied: ...whom you were looking at...) The person is the object of at.
She showed me the book she was reading from. The book is the object of from.
The children were well looked after. (Active: They looked after the children.) After is part of look after.
The issue has been dealt with promptly. (Active: Someone dealt with the issue.) With is part of deal with.
He doesn't like being stared at. (Active: People stare at him.) At is part of stare at.
What are you going through? (go through = experience)
I need to catch up. (catch up = reach the same level)
That's a difficult situation to put up with. (put up with = tolerate)
When To Use It
- Everyday Conversation: In spoken English, attempting to avoid a final preposition often sounds overly formal or even awkward. For instance,
Who are you going with?is universally more natural thanWith whom are you going?in a casual chat. This applies to almost all informal and semi-formal discussions. - Informal and Semi-Formal Writing: This includes emails to colleagues, blog posts, social media updates, text messages, and most journalistic writing. The goal here is clear, direct communication that resonates with the reader. For example,
That's the movie everyone is talking aboutflows much more smoothly thanThat's the movie about which everyone is talking. - Clarity and Conciseness: In many instances, rephrasing a sentence to avoid a final preposition can make it longer, more convoluted, and harder to understand. English relies on these constructions for economy of expression. For example,
I found the notes I was looking foris clearer thanI found the notes for which I was looking. - Phrasal Verbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Many common idioms and phrasal verbs intrinsically end with a preposition or particle. Trying to separate these elements often renders the expression meaningless or changes its meaning entirely. For example,
Don't give up!cannot be rephrased to avoidupat the end without destroying the idiom.
When Not To Use It
- Highly Formal Academic and Legal Writing: In contexts such as research papers, legal documents, philosophical treatises, or very formal reports, the more traditional structure of placing the preposition before its object is often maintained. This is not due to grammatical incorrectness of stranding but rather an adherence to established conventions of formal academic discourse. For example,
To whom it may concernremains a standard formal opening. - Formal Relative Clauses with
whomorwhich: When constructing very formal relative clauses usingwhomorwhichas the object of a preposition, it is conventional to place the preposition before the relative pronoun. This choice signals a high level of formality. - Formal:
The committee, to whom the proposal was submitted, will review it next month. - Informal equivalent:
The committee that the proposal was submitted to will review it next month. - Formal:
The data, about which there has been much debate, is now public. - Informal equivalent:
The data that there has been much debate about is now public. - Avoiding Ambiguity (Rare Cases): Very occasionally, a stranded preposition could theoretically lead to a momentary misinterpretation, although this is uncommon in practice. If you find your sentence confusing due to a final preposition, rephrasing for clarity by placing the preposition earlier might be a stylistic choice. However, this is less about grammatical rule and more about optimal communication.
Common Mistakes
- Over-Correction/Artificial Formality: The most frequent error is to force a preposition to the beginning of a sentence in contexts where stranding is natural, resulting in stiff or unnatural-sounding English. For example, saying
For whom are you waiting?in a casual conversation is grammatically correct but stylistically inappropriate and sounds archaic. - Misuse of
whomwith Stranded Prepositions: Some learners attempt to usewhombecause it sounds formal, but then incorrectly strand the preposition. Remember,whomis typically used only when the preposition immediately precedes it. - Incorrect:
Whom are you talking to? - Correct (Informal):
Who are you talking to? - Correct (Formal):
To whom are you talking? - Omitting Necessary Prepositions: A common mistake, particularly for learners whose native languages do not use prepositions in the same way, is to omit the preposition entirely when it should be stranded. Verbs that inherently require a preposition (prepositional verbs) will sound incomplete without it.
- Incorrect:
That's the person I was looking. - Correct:
That's the person I was looking for. - Incorrect:
I listened the song yesterday. - Correct:
I listened to the song yesterday. - Incorrect Choice of Final Preposition: While rare, sometimes a learner might use the wrong preposition, particularly if they are not familiar with the specific phrasal verb or idiomatic expression.
- Incorrect:
What are you thinking on? - Correct:
What are you thinking about?
Common Collocations
ask for(to request):What did you ask for?talk about(to discuss):That's what we were talking about.listen to(to hear attentively):Who are you listening to?look for(to search):What exactly are you looking for?deal with(to handle/manage):It's a difficult situation to deal with.depend on(to rely on):It depends on what you're working on.agree with(to share an opinion):I agree with what she's saying.come up with(to invent/suggest):What innovative idea did you come up with?care for(to look after/like):He's difficult to care for.(meaning 'to look after');This is the kind of music I care for.(meaning 'to like/be fond of')put up with(to tolerate):That's something I cannot put up with.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
Quick FAQ
- Q: Is it ever truly "wrong" to end a sentence with a preposition?
- A: In terms of strict grammatical rules for modern English, no. However, it can be stylistically inappropriate in very formal written contexts (e.g., academic papers, legal documents) where adherence to traditional prescriptive rules is expected. It is a matter of register rather than inherent error.
- Q: Will using a final preposition make my English sound less proficient?
- A: Quite the opposite in most situations. In casual and semi-formal contexts, using preposition stranding makes your English sound more natural, fluent, and native-like. Avoiding it can make your speech or writing sound stiff and unnatural.
- Q: When should I use
whoversuswhomwith a final preposition? - A: If the preposition is stranded at the end of the sentence, you should always use
who.Whomis reserved for highly formal contexts where the preposition immediately precedes it (e.g.,To whom are you speaking?). In modern informal and semi-formal English,whohas largely replacedwhomeven in some object positions, especially when the preposition is stranded. - Q: Does this rule apply to all prepositions universally?
- A: Generally, yes. The principle applies broadly to prepositions that are part of phrasal verbs, prepositional verbs, or those whose objects have been moved (as in questions and relative clauses). The key is that the preposition has a clear grammatical and semantic link earlier in the sentence.
- Q: What is the historical origin of the "rule" against ending sentences with prepositions?
- A: This prescriptive rule emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries when grammarians attempted to standardize English by applying rules from Latin, a language where prepositions always precede their objects. This rule does not reflect the natural evolution or historical usage of English.
- Q: Can I just put any random preposition at the end of a sentence?
- A: No. The stranded preposition must always have a logical and grammatical connection to a word or phrase earlier in the sentence, typically as part of a phrasal verb or by having its object moved from its original position. You cannot simply append an unrelated preposition.
- Q: How is preposition stranding related to phrasal verbs?
- A: There is a significant overlap. Many instances of preposition stranding occur because the preposition is an integral particle of a ph phrasal verb. When questions are asked about phrasal verbs, or when they are used in relative clauses, the particle (preposition) naturally remains at the end, forming an inseparable semantic unit with the verb.
3. Question Structure with Stranded Prepositions
| Question Word | Auxiliary | Subject | Verb | Preposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Who
|
are
|
you
|
talking
|
to?
|
|
What
|
is
|
she
|
looking
|
at?
|
|
Where
|
did
|
they
|
come
|
from?
|
|
Which
|
do
|
you
|
agree
|
with?
|
|
Who
|
have
|
you
|
worked
|
for?
|
Common Conversational Short Forms
| Full Question | Short Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
|
Who are you with?
|
Who with?
|
Casual texting
|
|
What is it for?
|
What for?
|
Asking for a reason
|
|
Where are you from?
|
Where from?
|
Quick inquiry
|
Meanings
The practice of leaving a preposition at the end of a clause or sentence when its object (the noun it relates to) has moved to the beginning.
Interrogative Stranding
Placing the preposition at the end of a question starting with 'Who', 'What', 'Which', or 'Where'.
“Who are you going with?”
“What is this for?”
Relative Clause Stranding
Placing the preposition at the end of a relative clause, especially when using 'that' or omitting the relative pronoun entirely.
“This is the book I was talking about.”
“She is the friend that I traveled with.”
Passive Voice Stranding
When a verb + preposition combination is turned into the passive voice, the preposition remains attached to the verb at the end.
“He likes to be listened to.”
“The bed hasn't been slept in.”
Infinitive Stranding
Using a preposition at the end of an infinitive phrase (to + verb).
“I need a chair to sit on.”
“She has no one to talk to.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Question
|
Wh- + Aux + Subj + Verb + Prep
|
Who are you waiting for?
|
|
Relative Clause (that)
|
Noun + that + Subj + Verb + Prep
|
The car that I'm looking at.
|
|
Relative Clause (zero)
|
Noun + Subj + Verb + Prep
|
The car I'm looking at.
|
|
Passive Voice
|
Subj + be + Past Participle + Prep
|
He was laughed at.
|
|
Infinitive
|
Noun + to + Verb + Prep
|
A pen to write with.
|
|
Negative Question
|
Wh- + Aux(not) + Subj + Verb + Prep
|
What aren't you telling me about?
|
Formality Spectrum
To whom were you speaking? (Social interaction)
Who were you speaking to? (Social interaction)
Who were you talking to? (Social interaction)
Who you talkin' to? (Social interaction)
Types of Preposition Stranding
Questions
- Who... with? Who are you with?
Relative Clauses
- The one I like... The one I'm fond of.
Passive
- Be + Verb + Prep It was paid for.
Formal vs. Natural English
Examples by Level
Where are you from?
Who are you with?
What are you looking at?
Who is she talking to?
What are you waiting for?
Which house do you live in?
Who did you go to the party with?
This is the movie I told you about.
That's the guy I was arguing with.
I found the keys I was looking for.
Which company did you apply to?
He is someone you can rely on.
The results were exactly what we had hoped for.
It’s a difficult situation to deal with.
Who was the contract signed by?
The children need someone to look after them.
The sheer number of variables we had to account for was staggering.
He is a man whom I have the greatest respect for.
This is the kind of nonsense I will not put up with.
The city has many hidden gems to marvel at.
The metaphysical implications are what the author is primarily concerned with.
It is a principle that the entire legal system is based upon.
Such are the tribulations that a modern democracy must contend with.
The very ground they stood on seemed to shift.
Easily Confused
Learners often confuse a simple preposition with the particle of a phrasal verb.
Learners think they must use 'whom' if there is a preposition involved.
Common Mistakes
Where you from?
Where are you from?
Who you with?
Who are you with?
What you look at?
What are you looking at?
I from Japan.
I am from Japan.
Who are you waiting?
Who are you waiting for?
What are you listening?
What are you listening to?
The book I told you.
The book I told you about.
To who are you talking to?
Who are you talking to?
The man who I work.
The man who I work with.
Which room do you sleep?
Which room do you sleep in?
To whom are you looking for?
Who are you looking for?
Sentence Patterns
Who are you ___ with?
That is the ___ I was telling you about.
What are you so ___ about?
Real World Usage
Who are you with?
What kind of environment do you thrive in?
What does this come with?
This is a theory that many scholars agree with.
What can I help you with?
What are you looking for in a partner?
The 'That' Rule
Avoid Double Prepositions
Rhythm is Key
Whom vs Who
Smart Tips
Just use 'Who' and put the preposition at the end. It's safe, modern, and professional.
Always put the preposition at the end. 'That' cannot follow a preposition.
Drop the relative pronoun ('who' or 'that') entirely and keep the preposition at the end.
Never try to move the particle to the front; it will break the verb's meaning.
Pronunciation
Preposition Stress
When a preposition is at the end of a sentence, it is usually unstressed and 'weak'. However, if you want to emphasize it, you can stress it.
Rising-Falling
Who are you with? ↘
A standard, neutral information-seeking question.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
The preposition is like a 'tail'—it's natural for it to wag at the end of the sentence dog.
Visual Association
Imagine a fishing hook at the end of a sentence. The preposition is the hook that catches the object at the very beginning of the sentence.
Rhyme
If a question you must send, put the 'with' or 'to' at the end.
Story
A traveler named 'Who' went on a journey. He always left his bags ('with', 'for', 'from') at the hotel (the end of the sentence) while he went to explore the city (the beginning of the sentence).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 questions you would ask your favorite celebrity, ensuring every single one ends with a preposition (e.g., 'Who do you look up to?').
Cultural Notes
Some older teachers or very formal institutions still cling to the 'never end with a preposition' rule, despite it being linguistically debunked.
Americans are generally very comfortable with stranded prepositions in almost all contexts, including business.
While common, some high-level British RP (Received Pronunciation) speakers might use fronted prepositions to sound more 'proper' or 'upper-class'.
Preposition stranding is a native feature of Old English and other Germanic languages like Old Norse.
Conversation Starters
Who is the person you look up to most?
What kind of music are you into lately?
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go to?
What is a problem you've recently dealt with?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Who are you waiting ___?
Find and fix the mistake:
To whom are you talking?
Select the natural-sounding sentence.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
¿Con quién estás?
Answer starts with: Who...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
The man / I / work / with
It is grammatically incorrect to end a sentence with a preposition in modern English.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesWho are you waiting ___?
Find and fix the mistake:
To whom are you talking?
Select the natural-sounding sentence.
you / looking / what / at / are / ?
¿Con quién estás?
Listen, Wait, Look, Talk
The man / I / work / with
It is grammatically incorrect to end a sentence with a preposition in modern English.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThat's the problem we need to deal ___.
Choose the correct sentence:
This is the person to whom I spoke with.
Translate into English: 'Com quem você está saindo?'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the informal questions with their formal equivalents:
The meeting was cancelled. I don't know why, but it was decided ___.
Choose the correct sentence:
The project with which I am involved is very complex.
Translate into English: 'Isso é algo em que você pode confiar.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the verbs with their common ending prepositions:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, absolutely! It is a natural part of English. The 'rule' against it was made up in the 1600s to make English more like Latin, but it doesn't fit how English actually works.
In extremely formal documents, like a legal contract or a very traditional academic paper, you might choose to 'front' the preposition (e.g., 'The person to whom...'). However, even then, if it sounds awkward, stranding is fine.
It's the linguistic term for leaving a preposition at the end of a clause when its object has moved to the front, like in 'Who are you with?'.
It's grammatically possible but sounds very strange. It's a 'register clash'—'whom' is very formal, but stranding is more informal. Stick to 'Who... to' or 'To whom...'.
Phrasal verbs *must* keep their particles. You can't move the 'up' in 'What did you give up?' to the front. 'Up what did you give?' is nonsense.
Most common ones like 'to', 'for', 'with', 'at', and 'from' are frequently stranded. Longer prepositions like 'concerning' or 'despite' are rarely stranded because they sound awkward at the end.
It's a 'zombie rule'—a rule that is dead but still haunts classrooms. Many people were taught this in school by teachers who were following outdated textbooks.
Technically no, but more than two usually sounds confusing. For example: 'What did you bring that book I don't like being read to out of up for?' is a famous (but silly) example of too many.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Preposition + Relative Pronoun
The preposition must always precede the pronoun in Spanish.
Preposition + Qui/Lequel
Ending a sentence with 'à' or 'de' is grammatically impossible in French.
Da-compounds or fronting
German uses 'W-compounds' for questions (e.g., Womit) rather than stranding.
Postpositions
Japanese particles are always attached to the noun they modify.
Resumptive Pronouns
Arabic requires a pronoun to 'fill the gap' left by the moved object.
Pre-verbal prepositional phrases
Word order is strictly Preposition + Object + Verb.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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