Ending a sentence with the word out

You’ve probably heard that you can never, under any circumstances, use a preposition at the end of a sentence. However, there are plenty of opportunities to use a preposition in this manner, and if it makes your sentence sound more natural, it is absolutely acceptable. 

Below we review what a preposition is, how it can be used, when it is acceptable to end a sentence with one, and how to make corrections when it may be frowned upon. Use these rules and examples to ensure your writing is clear and concise. 

What is a Preposition?

A preposition is a word or group of words that show direction, time, location, place, spatial relationships, or introduce an object. They are relationship words used before a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun and are crucial for effective communication. 

There are over a hundred prepositions you can take advantage of, but the most common are those we use in everyday speech and writing. Frequently used prepositions include:

Ending a Sentence With a Preposition: When You Can and When You Can’t

There are various instances when you can and can’t use prepositions at the end of a sentence. We use them more often in speech than in writing due to the higher instances of casual conversation we involve ourselves with (see what I did there?). But, it is entirely acceptable to use them in writing as well to create an informal tone. 

However, avoid them during formal instances, and make sure you present your words properly. 

When to End a Sentence With a Preposition

There are many opportunities to use a preposition at the end of a sentence. The phrasing of these sentences is generally more conversational and, therefore, much more relaxed. 

In Informal Conversation and Writing

Informal settings allow for prepositional endings in conversation and writing. You most likely already do it when speaking to friends and family or in a casual atmosphere. It might also sound awkward not to use a preposition at the end, making it acceptable in this scenario as well. 

For Example:

• Who are you talking about?
• I have no idea what I’m hungry for. Vs. I have no idea for what I’m hungry. 

If the Preposition Is Part of an Informal Phrase

When the preposition is included in an informal phrase at the end of a sentence, its use is also acceptable. 

For Example:

• Six excited preschoolers were almost too much to put up with. 

When an Idiom or Colloquialism Ends a Sentence

Some idioms and colloquialisms end in prepositions, and if you use them in sentences, they are appropriate to place at the end as well. 

For Example:

• A good mechanic is hard to come by.

When NOT to End a Sentence With a Preposition

When speaking or writing to people you may not know for work or school assignments, it is best to take a more formal approach and avoid end of sentence prepositional use. When proofreading and editing these types of examples, consider moving prepositions within the sentences. 

In Formal Writing

The audience usually determines formal writing. If you are writing for work, an event, or to people you want to communicate clearly and concisely to, avoid the informal tone suggested with the placement of prepositions at the end of a sentence. 

For Example:

• The early Triassic is the era on which I’m focused. Vs. the early Triassic is the area I’m focused on. 
• Romantic literature is a subject about which Ruby knows nothing. Vs. Romantic literature is a subject Ruby knows nothing about. 

Prepositions and the Passive Voice

A passive voice in writing occurs when you might not know the subject of a sentence, or who is performing an action. It ends in a preposition and is easy to correct. However, there is nothing wrong with using it, even though traditional grammarians consider it a no-no. Just be sure that you have no other way to clarify the sentence without it sounding awkward. 

For Example:

• The game has been called off. Vs. The game was rescheduled.
• The issue was dealt with. Vs. The boss dealt with the issue. 

Unnecessary Prepositions

Sometimes, sentences end with a preposition because too many are in the sentence. These are easy to edit for clarity and to help avoid wordiness. 

For Example:

• The whites and colored laundry need to be separated out. Vs. The whites and colored laundry need to be separated.
• Sanna is confused about where she is going to. Vs. Sanna is confused about where she is going. 

Examples of Using Prepositions at the End of Sentences 

As with many grammar and usage rules, the question of whether or not to end sentences with prepositions is ultimately a matter of taste. 

These arbitrary rules have never hampered great writers and influencers, and sentence-ending prepositions can be found in some of the most beautiful writing in the English language. 

Ending a Sentence With “Is”

• Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.  [Vince Lombardi]

Ending a Sentence with “On”

• When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.  [Franklin D. Roosevelt]
• In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on. [Robert Frost]

Ending a Sentence With “Up”

• Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. [Thomas A. Edison]

Ending a Sentence With “With”

• Finn the Red-Handed had stolen a skillet and a quantity of half-cured leaf tobacco, and had also brought a few corn-cobs to make pipes with. [Mark Twain]

Ending a Sentences With “To”

• There was a little money left, but to Mrs. Bart, it seemed worse than nothing the mere mockery of what she was entitled to. [Edith Wharton]
• It’s funny. All one has to do is say something nobody understands and they’ll do practically anything you want them to. [J D Salinger]

Ending a Sentence With “Of”

• Mr. Barsad saw losing cards in it that Sydney Carton knew nothing of. [Charles Dickens]

Ending a Sentence With “For”

• Then she remembered what she had been waiting for. [James Joyce]
• There is some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for. [J.RR. Tolkein]

Ending a Sentence With “Out”

• Time, which sees all things, has found you out. [Oedipus]
• Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out. [John Wooden]

Ending a Sentence with “Over”

• For you, a thousand times over. [Khaled Hosseini]

Let’s Review and a Worksheet to Download

Although we use many prepositions in everyday language, some of the most common ones make their way to the end of a sentence. This use is often casual and works to help a sentence flow. However, you want to avoid their use in formal settings if you can. Also, look for unnecessary use even in an informal situation, and correct the sentence for clarity. 

Exercises

{slide=1 Complete each sentence using a verb from A + a word from B.}Complete each sentence using a verb from A (in the correct form) + a word from B. You can use a word more than once.
{tooltip}Key.{end-link}2    sit down
3    flew away
4    get out
5    speak up
6    get by
7    gone up
8    looked round{end-tooltip}

1    The bus was full. We couldn’t    get in  .   
2    I’ve been standing for the last two hours. I’m going to ________________ for a bit.
3    A cat tried to catch the bird, but it ________________ just in time.
4    We were trapped in the building. We couldn’t ________________.
5    I can’t hear you very well. Can you ________________ a little?
6    ‘Do you speak German?’   ‘Not very well, but I can ________________.’
7    House prices are very high. They’ve ________________ a lot in the last few years.
8    I thought there was somebody behind me, but when I ________________, there was nobody there.

{/slide} {slide=2 Complete the sentences using a word from A and a word from B.}Complete the sentences using a word from A and a word from B. You can use a word more than once.
{tooltip}Key.{end-link}2    back at
3    up to
4    forward to
5    away with
6    up at
7    in through{end-tooltip}

1    You’re walking too fast. I can’t keep     up with    you.
2    My holidays are nearly over. Next week I’ll be ____________ work.
3    We went ____________ the top floor of the building to admire the view.
4    Are you looking ____________ the party next week?
5    There was a bank robbery last week. The robbers got ____________ £50,000.
6    I love to look ____________ the stars in the sky at night.
7    I was sitting in the kitchen when suddenly a bird flew ____________ the open window.

{/slide} {slide=3 Complete the sentences using the following verbs.}Complete the sentences using the following verbs + it/them/me:
{tooltip}Key.{end-link}2    wake me up
3    get it out
4    give them back
5    switch it on
6    take them off{end-tooltip}

1    They gave me a form and told me to    fill it in  .   
2    I’m going to bed now. Can you ___________ at 6.30?
3    I’ve got something in my eye and I can’t ___________.
4    I don’t like it when people borrow things and don’t ___________.
5    I want to use the kettle. How do I ___________?
6    My shoes are dirty. I’d better ___________ before going into the house. {/slide} {slide=4 Use your own ideas to complete the sentences.}Use your own ideas to complete the sentences. Use a noun (this newspaper etc.) or a pronoun (it/them etc.) + the word in brackets (away/up etc.).
{tooltip}Key.{end-link}3    I have to take them back
4    We can turn the television off or   We can turn off the television
5    I knocked it over
6    I don’t want to wake her up.
7    (example answer) You should put your coat on    or    You should put on your coat.
8    I was able to put it out
9    (example answer) they’ve put the price(s) up    or    they’ve put up the price(s)
10  Shall I turn the lightlsl on? or    Shall I turn on the lighi(s)?{end-tooltip}

1    Don’t throw     away this newspaper    I want to keep it.  (away)
2    ‘Do you want this postcard?’    ‘No, you can throw     it away    .’ (away)
3    I borrowed these books from the library. I have to take _______________ tomorrow.  (back)
4    We can turn _______________. Nobody is watching it.  (off)
5    A: How did the vase get broken?
      B: I’m afraid I knocked _______________ while I was cleaning.  (over)
6    Shh! My mother is asleep. I don’t want to wake _______________. (up)
7    It’s quite cold. You should put _______________ if you’re going out.  (on)
8    It was only a small fire. I was able to put _______________ quite easily. (out)
9    A: Is this hotel more expensive than when we stayed here last year?
      B: Yes, they’ve put _______________. (up)
10  It’s a bit dark in this room. Shall I turn _______________?  (on)

{/slide}