Many writers pause mid-sentence wondering whether they can end a sentence with the preposition "with," especially when editing formal documents or academic papers. Also, this question stems from a long-standing grammar myth that has persisted for centuries, causing unnecessary anxiety among students, professionals, and content creators alike. The short answer is yes, you can end a sentence with "with," but understanding when and why this works requires examining both historical grammar rules and modern usage standards.
The Origins of the Preposition Rule
The belief that sentences cannot end with prepositions like "with," "for," or "to" originates from seventeenth-century Latin grammar traditions. During the Renaissance, scholars attempted to force English syntax into Latin patterns, despite the two languages having fundamentally different structures. Latin prepositions always precede their objects, never follow them, leading grammarians like John Dryden to criticize English writers for "terminating with a Proposition" in the 1600s.
This rule gained particular traction in the eighteenth century when Robert Lowth and other prescriptive grammarians published influential textbooks. They argued that ending sentences with prepositions showed "ignorance" or "bad breeding," despite the fact that English speakers had been doing so since Old English times. Winston Churchill famously mocked this restriction when his editors changed "This is the sort of nonsense up with which I will not put" to avoid ending with "with," demonstrating how absurd the rule could become when applied rigidly Most people skip this — try not to..
Modern Style Guide Perspectives
Contemporary grammar authorities have largely abandoned the prohibition against terminal prepositions. Plus, the Chicago Manual of Style, APA Publication Manual, and MLA Handbook all acknowledge that ending sentences with prepositions is acceptable when it creates natural, clear prose. These guides recognize that forcing prepositions into earlier positions often produces awkward, stilted sentences that confuse readers rather than enlighten them And it works..
Even so, context matters significantly. In highly formal academic writing or legal documents, some editors still prefer to avoid terminal prepositions when possible, not because it is grammatically incorrect, but because it may appear less polished to certain readers. Business communications, creative writing, and everyday correspondence generally welcome preposition stranding as a natural feature of English syntax.
Why "With" Specifically Causes Confusion
The preposition "with" presents unique challenges because it appears in so many common phrases and collocations. Writers often end sentences with "with" when using phrasal verbs like "deal with," "agree with," or "compare with," or when describing accompaniment and instrumentality. Consider these natural examples:
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- "The project relies heavily on the team that we work with."
- "She presented the proposal along with the supporting documents."
- "He struggled with the concept that his professor taught."
In each case, moving "with" to an earlier position creates unnecessary complexity: "The project relies heavily on the team with which we work" sounds overly formal and potentially confusing. The natural flow of English often demands that prepositions appear at the end, particularly when relative clauses or complex noun phrases are involved.
When to Rephrase for Clarity
While ending with "with" is generally acceptable, there are situations where
