Ending sentences with prepositions naturally
Think ending sentences with "to" or "with" is a mistake? Learn why this grammar myth makes you sound stiff and how to use prepositions like a native.
Best quote from Ending sentences with prepositions naturally
In almost 99% of your daily life, stranding that preposition is not just 'okay' — it is actually preferred because it follows the natural rhythm of English.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
Create a B2-level English lecture about stranded prepositions in everyday English — explaining why native speakers often end sentences with prepositions like "to," "about," "with," and "for" (e.g., "something to listen to," "someone to talk about," "nothing to worry about"). Include practical examples in the context of travel, hobbies, and casual conversation, and also cover common phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions
Frequently Asked Questions
The rule against "stranded prepositions" was created by 17th and 18th-century scholars, such as John Dryden, who wanted English to mimic the structure of Latin. In Latin, it is grammatically impossible to end a sentence with a preposition due to the way the language is constructed. These scholars viewed Latin as the "perfect" language and attempted to force its rules onto English, even though English is a Germanic language where stranding prepositions is a natural, historical feature.
Preposition stranding, or "p-stranding," occurs when the object of a preposition moves to the beginning of a sentence, typically for emphasis or to form a question, leaving the preposition by itself at the end. For example, in the sentence "Who are you looking for?", the word "who" is the object that has moved to the front, leaving "for" stranded at the end. This structure follows the natural rhythm of English and is common in both casual and professional modern speech.
Stranding a preposition is non-negotiable when using the relative pronoun "that." While you can formally say "The house in which I live," it is grammatically incorrect to say "The house in that I live." If you use "that," the preposition must move to the end: "The house that I live in." Additionally, many phrasal verbs—where the preposition is part of the verb's core meaning, such as "put up with" or "check in"—require the preposition to stay at the end to maintain the intended meaning.
Using "whom" at the start of a sentence while leaving a preposition at the end creates what is known as a "register clash." Because "whom" is highly formal and stranding a preposition is more informal, mixing them sounds unnatural, like wearing a top hat with pajamas. In modern English, "who" has almost entirely replaced "whom" in spoken conversation. If you choose to use "whom," it is standard to move the preposition to the front (e.g., "To whom are you talking?"); otherwise, "Who are you talking to?" is the preferred natural form.
A stranded preposition is a sign of a high-level speaker, whereas a missing preposition is a common beginner mistake. To sound fluent, you must include the preposition if the verb requires it to complete the thought. For instance, saying "What are you listening?" is incorrect because the verb "listen" requires the preposition "to." The preposition acts as a "hook" that connects back to the object at the start of the sentence; without it, the logical connection is lost.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
