Question with preposition at the end

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Anonymous

#226950 Fri, 19 May 06 05:40 PM

Carolesh wrote:
I was corrected for the following: "Where is it at?" I understand that you should not use a preposition at the end of a sentence, but believed it was acceptable with a question. Could someone please clarify this rule for me?

I consider that the sentence is grammatically correct. The antiquated, quasi-rule about not ending a sentence with a preposition is not relevant in this situation.

I might also correct your grammar if you were my kid or if I thought that you care about your grammar. The word at may or may not contribute anything to the meaning of the sentence, depending on the casualness of the situation. Although not incorrect grammatically, it is often considered as sloppy construction. In some casual circumstances, it is quite acceptable.

Anonymous

Constructions, Grammar, Prepositions

Anonymous

#226955 Fri, 19 May 06 05:46 PM

Moijelesuis wrote:
technically, the sentence should be phrased "with whom is he going out?",

This is not a technical issue. It is an issue of antiquity. Some people still believe that the antiquated and outdated whom is still "techically" superior to actual and ubiquitous usage seen today.

but you may die of old age before you hear someone actually say this.

As you do recognize.

nevertheless, "whom" being an object pronoun, should not be effected by moving the preposition to the end: "whom is she going out with?". again, as mentioned in other threads, the use of "whom" is in decline.

If a person were to use whom, then I would recommend inserting the preposition prior to whom. When who is used, as is common nowadays, then I would insert the preposition at the end.

as for the example "where is he at?", the final word is compltely superfluous and serves no purpose whatsoever.

I disagree. I consider this a valid contraction for "Where is this located at". I think that it is very casual, but not worthless in all circumstances.

Anonymous

Contractions, Nouns, Prepositions, Pronouns, Whom

Anonymous

#230629 Tue, 30 May 06 10:07 PM

I NEED EXAMPLES OF QUESTION WITH PREPOSITION AT THE END

Anonymous

Prepositions

Mister Micawber

#230680 Wed, 31 May 06 12:56 AM

What is this made of?
Who are you talking to?
What are you thinking about?
Who did you stay with?
etc.

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (20,364)

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

Prepositions

Grammar Geek

#230723 Wed, 31 May 06 03:58 AM

Are none of the gurus going to sweeping in to say "Where are you at?" is utterly unacceptable? I don't have a lot of linguistic prejudices, but this makes you sounds like an uneducated red neck. You don't say "Where are you located at?" you say "Where are you located?" And you don't say "Where're you at?" you say "Where are you?" If you take the examples that do end with a preposition and do the inversion, "what is this made of" could still be made into "of what is this made," but you can't say "at where are you?"