Grammar Myth: Ending a Sentence with a Preposition

Myth: Do not end a sentence with a preposition.

Truth: It’s okay to end a sentence with a preposition.

Origin of myth: Many people thought that English should follow the grammar rules of Latin, but English is based on German, not Latin, so most Latin grammar rules don't apply to English. One of those rules is not ending a sentence with a preposition.

The real rule to remember is don’t end a sentence with a preposition that doesn’t need to be there.

Incorrect:
That's where I'm at.

Correct:
That's where I am.

Incorrect:
Where are you going to?

Correct:
Where are you going?

Incorrect:
Where does the property end at?

Correct:
Where does the property end?

So, let's talk about when it's all right to end sentences with a preposition. Most of the time. If you try not to end all sentences with prepositions, you just sound stuffy.

You wouldn’t say “To what are you up?” It's okay to say "What are you up to?"

It’s fine to say, "Who are you going to the store with?" You don’t have to say, "With whom are you going to the store?"

Even when you write, you can end sentences with a preposition. Again, just don't end them with prepositions that don’t need to be there, and you’ll be fine.

Or, as my friend joked,” I’m going to end all of my sentences with a preposition on.”