As a language expert, I have a deep understanding of the nuances of both English and Chinese. The question at hand is whether it is acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition in English. Historically, there has been a debate among grammarians about this issue, but modern usage has largely moved past the strict rule against such a practice.

In the past, some prescriptive grammarians insisted that ending a sentence with a preposition was incorrect, mainly because Latin, the language from which English evolved, did not allow for such a construction. However, English is a living language that has evolved over time, and its grammar has become more flexible.

The rule against ending sentences with prepositions was particularly strict in the 18th and 19th centuries. Writers and speakers were encouraged to restructure their sentences to avoid ending with a preposition. For example, instead of saying "To whom was the book given?", one would say, "To whom was the book given to?" to adhere to the rule. But this often made sentences sound awkward and unnatural.

Over time, even the most conservative grammarians have come to accept that ending a sentence with a preposition is not an error. It is now widely accepted in both spoken and written English, including in formal contexts. The key is clarity and natural flow. If a sentence ends with a preposition and it sounds clear and natural, it is perfectly acceptable.

However, there are still situations where avoiding a preposition at the end of a sentence can enhance formality or style, especially in formal writing such as academic papers, legal documents, or business proposals. In these cases, rephrasing to avoid ending with a preposition might be preferred to maintain a high level of formality.

In conclusion, the modern consensus is that ending a sentence with a preposition is not a grammatical error in English. It is a matter of style and context. If the sentence is clear and the flow is natural, ending with a preposition is perfectly acceptable. But for the utmost formality, especially in writing, one might choose to rephrase.

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It's not an error to end a sentence with a preposition, but it is a little less formal. ... But if you're writing a research paper or submitting a business proposal and you want to sound very formal, avoid ending sentences with prepositions.Sep 3, 2014read more >>