Ending with a Preposition

In modern English we prefer to leave prepositions at the end of the sentence or a

question, rather than change the word order of the sentence. Sentences or Questions
where the preposition is moved to some other part of the sentence sound very oldfashioned, super formal, like Yoda-speak, or are simple incorrect.

Correct
What are you worried about?
Which card did you pay with?
Do you have any idea what this is
for?

Incorrect
About what are you worried?
With which card did you pay?
Do you have any idea for what this is?

The thing to remember is that we dont separate a verb-preposition combination.

For questions, we preserve the word order of verb-preposition just like as if it were a
statement. For statements, we keep any verb-preposition pair together no mater
what this often occurs with passive voice and phrasal verbs.
Correct
Incorrect
This interesting
is what I was
worried
about.
Thisinteresting
is about what
I was
worried.
They were
people
to talk
to.
They were
people
with
which
Sustainability is something that I care
toatalk. Sustainability is something about which
lot about.
I care
a lot.on whom the doctor
Tomorrow
she will be operated on.
She is the
woman
Hes not the one I am interested in will operate
The person
in whom I am interested
tomorrow.
doesnt
want
to
talk
to
me.
doesnt
want
tooftalk
to me.
She likes to be taken care of.
She likes to be the girl
whom
someone takes care.
That is a crime that you wont easily get
away with.
You should try that on.

That is a crime away with you wont

easily get. (X)
?

Native Speaker Errors

We LOVE putting prepositions at the end of sentences! Some native speakers often make
the mistake of adding an extra preposition at the end of a sentence or question when it is
not necessary. Although it is incorrect, it is a pretty common, informal way of speaking.
X
X
X
X

This is a great place to swim at.

What time is your meeting at?
I have no money to buy food with.
Where is it at?

Alternative WHY
In informal spoken language you might hear what for? instead of why?.
(Depending on the context, this might be used somewhat aggressively or as a joke.)
Example:
A: I went downtown yesterday?
B: What for?
Once again, we have a preposition at the end. ; )
A: To buy some paint?
Practice 1
Put the following questions in order:
1) this bag belong who to does ?
2) for looking who were you ?
3) from the which of company division you are ?

4) is this beautiful gift from who ?

5) the book was written by who ?
6) about what the article is ?
7) which in room conference going to are they meet ?
8) from he where is ?
9) were you about talking what I arrived when ?
10) whose clients about talking they are ?
Practice 2
Write the question (with a preposition at the end)
1) Question:
Answer: The movie was directed by Michael Bay.
2) Question:

Contextual Example (ADVANCED)

Read the Conversation

What's up?
Not much. We're going to take of.
Where are you of to?
There's a pick-up game down in
Answer: Our office is close to City Hall.
Mid-town.
4) Question:
Where's it at?
Those basketball courts with the
Answer: Kevin talked about changes to the companys commission structure.
name I can't think of.
6) Question:
OK. I'll catch up with you later. I
have something I have to check out.
Answer: I think she might be from Korea, but Im not sure.

Answer: The cake is for John. Its his 40th birthday today.
3) Question:

9) Question:
Answer: I think theyre from Mexico.
Practice 3
Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.
1. What are you crying ? (two possible answers)
2. Who should I give this ?
3. What are you waiting ?
4. Which movie were you talking ?
5. Which candidate did you vote -?
6. Who were you talking____________?
7. There is nothing to be scared __________?
8. I wonder where it came ____________?

The underlined usage of final

prepositions in the above
conversation is informal.
Translate the sentence into
more easy to understand

Read the Paragraphs and find the final prepositions.

Match Maker is a website that is good for finding a relationship.
First, you have to write a personal profile that will interest the kind of person you
want to appeal to. The profile consists of your picture and brief description of
yourself. You shouldn't make things up! You should include things that you are
interested in. It helps to include things you engage in, specialize in, and believe in. It
also helps to include things you don't care for.
Then, Match Maker will return a list of people that match up. After you read their
profiles, you can decide who you want to get in touch with.
Then you can send a person a "wink". If the person winks back, then messages can
be exchanged. You can talk about whatever you want to talk about. If there is a
connection, the two people can agree to meet up. Otherwise, they continue on.
A person can return to Match Maker several times to find the person s/he is
dreaming of.
That's how I found my bride, who I am faithfully devoted to.