Can a sentence end with a preposition? - Page 4

Go_Blue88 · #31 02-13-2006, 03:37 PM

It can end with a prepositional phrase but not a prepositional word (unless of course you're just trying to be conversational or using it in dialogue). Otherwise, if you do this, you will always be able to re-word it in a better way. Ie- instead of "marry fell down" you have the opportunity to describe everything in more detail (such as, the surface that caused her to fall).

codewarrior · #32 02-13-2006, 03:44 PM

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In the English phrase "put up with" (in the Churchill example above), "up" and "with" are complements rather than adjuncts, so their location after the verb is not optional. This is a phrasal verb.

In these instances the 'preposition' is really an adverbial particle, and the preposition takes on the characteristics of the phrasal verb (can go at the end of a sentence). As Churchill pointed out you can not separate this phrase, to adhere to the "preposition rule", without it sounding retarded.

If someone invokes the "preposition rule" when you say "That's something I'm already aware of." or "He is someone I'd like to meet with." they're just being pedantic for no reason.

-Al

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:ejaculates: [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

VarlosZ · #33 02-13-2006, 04:03 PM

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In these instances the 'preposition' is really an adverbial particle, and the preposition takes on the characteristics of the phrasal verb (can go at the end of a sentence). As Churchill pointed out you can not separate this phrase, to adhere to the "preposition rule", without it sounding retarded.

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Gerunds require the possessive form. Hence, "without it's sounding retarded" is correct.

Phaedrus · #34 02-13-2006, 04:18 PM

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Hence, "without it's sounding retarded" is correct.

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Is English your second language?

Not only is your advice retarded but the possessive is its not it's.

beenben · #35 02-13-2006, 04:19 PM

General, official rule, No. But informal conversation, less formal writing, yes. Also, where awkward, it's OK.

Why are you standing up? incorrect.
For what purpose are you standing? correct.

Phaedrus · #36 02-13-2006, 04:31 PM

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In a school assignment / article for NY times - No.
In a piece of fiction/light journalism / yr crappy blog- Sure.

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This is the correct answer.

Steven Pinker's The Language Instinct debunks a lot of these silly schoolmarmish grammar rules. The only purpose they serve is to let certain people feel superior.

John Cole · #37 02-13-2006, 05:23 PM

Kurn,

Since you live in RI, you have, I'm sure, heard "I seen you last night" or a closely related sentence. The "I seen" damages my internal organs.

John Cole · #38 02-13-2006, 05:38 PM

Get a load of this sentence:

"What did you bring that
book that I don't want to be read to from out of about 'Down Under'
up for?"

VarlosZ · #39 02-13-2006, 05:39 PM

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Hence, "without it's sounding retarded" is correct.

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Is English your second language?

Not only is your advice retarded but the possessive is its not it's.

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You are, of course, correct about the possessive of "it." That was silly.

Aside from that, though, I'm right.

Question: just how serious do you think I was being with my "advice"?

Tony_P · #40 02-13-2006, 06:22 PM

Anyone who anwered "no" in the poll is obviously ignorant.

If the question was "Should a sentence end with a preposition" or "Is it proper for a sentence to end with a prepostion?" then I would answer "It depends" and "no" respectively. .