Ending a Sentence with a Preposition

Careful readers may note that I occasionally end my sentences with prepositions.

When my seventh grade English teacher demanded we “never end a sentence with a preposition,” I wanted to know why. His response was, “it’s sloppy.”

I never accepted his answer, because daily use of the English language provided empirical evidence to the contrary. I learned his rule, and chose to break it.

I broke the rule in college.

I broke the rule in grad school.

I break the rule on my blog.

I break the rule while writing for Fortune 500 companies.

Many pedantic pricks have pointed out my grievous use of prepositions. I’ve always asked them, “why am I incorrect?” No one has ever given me an answer other than, “it’s sloppy,” or “my seventh grade teacher said so.”

This evening I finally learned the answer.

This is a piece from the Merriam-Webster Ask the Editor YouTube Channel. It is one of my favorite YouTube channels, and one of the best examples of corporate web content.

The bottom-line? “Don’t end a sentence with a preposition” is a baseless rule that you don’t have to put up with.

Merriam-Webster YouTube Channel

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