JS Tip 429: The Rules IV

From the Writing Workshops: The Rules IV

We’re continuing our conversation about the rules we learned in high school.

A Rule We Learned in High School: “You can’t end a sentence with a preposition.” 

(A preposition is a relationship word, a word like “for” or “to” or “with.”)

The old rule has never worked; it’s always been wrong.

Consider these two examples:

  1. Here’s the report you asked for.

    Here’s the report for which you asked.

What? 

Which one’s easier to read? Which one’s easier to understand?

Exactly.

Yet, the one you found easier to read and understand ends with a preposition: for.

It’s perfectly all right to end a sentence with a preposition.

Always has been.

Always will be.

Don’t worry about it.

Let us know your questions.

We love this stuff.

Mark Brooks