Preposition stranding is a syntactic phenomenon in English where a preposition is placed at the end of a clause, typically following a relative pronoun or a wh-word, without a noun or pronoun that would act as its object. This construction is common in spoken English and informal written English, but it is often avoided in formal writing due to traditional prescriptive grammar rules that dictate prepositions should not end a sentence.

The term "stranding" is used because the preposition appears to be "left behind" or "stranded" without its object. This occurs when the object of the preposition is moved to the beginning of the sentence for emphasis or to form a question, leaving the preposition alone at the end.

Here are some examples to illustrate preposition stranding:


1. Normal Order: The book that I read on the train was interesting.
Stranded Preposition: The book that I read on which was interesting?


2. Normal Order: She is the person with whom I spoke.
Stranded Preposition: She is the person with whom I spoke?


3. Normal Order: This is the reason for which he resigned.
Stranded Preposition: This is the reason for which he resigned?

Preposition stranding is particularly common in questions formed with wh-words:

- Question: What did you do that for?
- Without Stranding: For what did you do that?

However, the non-stranding version ("For what did you do that?") is less common and sounds more formal or stilted to many English speakers.

It's important to note that not all prepositions can be stranded. In English, some prepositions are more likely to be stranded than others. For example, "with," "at," "from," "about," and "to" are often stranded, while "of" and "by" are less likely to be stranded.

The acceptability of preposition stranding can also vary depending on the dialect of English. In British English, it is widely accepted and quite common, while in American English, there is a stronger tendency to avoid it, especially in formal contexts.

The debate over preposition stranding has been a longstanding one in the history of English grammar. Some traditional grammarians have argued that it is incorrect, citing Latin influence and the rules of Latin syntax, which do not allow for preposition stranding. However, linguists and many modern grammarians argue that preposition stranding is a natural and accepted part of the English language, reflecting its evolution and the way it is actually used by speakers.

In conclusion, preposition stranding is a feature of English syntax that, while sometimes controversial, is a part of the language's natural variation and flexibility. It is a construction that speakers and writers use to create emphasis, form questions, and express themselves in a more conversational and natural way.

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In English grammar, preposition stranding refers to a syntactic construction in which a preposition is left without a following object. A stranded preposition most often appears at the end of a sentence. Also called preposition deferring and orphaned preposition.Apr 14, 2017read more >>