The Rule
A stranded preposition ends a clause, separated from its object. This is completely natural and correct in modern English — and far more common than the 'formal' alternative.
| Context | Example |
|---|---|
| Questions | Who did you speak to? / What are you working on? |
| Relative clauses | The project I am working on is complex. / The person I spoke to was helpful. |
| Passive voice | The issue has been dealt with. / This topic will be returned to. |
| Infinitive clauses | I need someone to talk to. / There is nothing to worry about. |
Key verb + preposition combinations:
deal with · look at · work on · talk to / about · listen to · apply for · wait for · agree with · rely on · ask for · report to · believe in
Both forms are grammatically correct, but natural English strongly prefers the stranded form in speech and most writing:
Who do you report to? (natural) = To whom do you report? (very formal / almost never used in speech)
deal with · look at · work on · talk to / about · listen to · apply for · wait for · agree with · rely on · ask for · report to · believe in
Both forms are grammatically correct, but natural English strongly prefers the stranded form in speech and most writing:
Who do you report to? (natural) = To whom do you report? (very formal / almost never used in speech)
Common Mistakes
For what position are you applying exactly?
What position are you applying for exactly?
The report I worked on it is finally finished.
The report I worked on is finally finished.
With who did you speak about the new proposal?
Who did you speak with about the new proposal?
About what are you most worried this quarter?
What are you most worried about this quarter?
Gap Fill — Press Enter to Check
Error Correction
Multiple Choice
Put the Words in the Correct Order
Sentence Transformation — Press Enter to Check
Conversation Practice
1
Ask your partner 5 questions using stranded prepositions: What are you working on? Who do you report to? What are you looking forward to? What are you worried about? What do you believe in?
2
Describe a current project in detail using at least 4 verb + preposition combinations.
3
Talk about a challenge at work using: deal with, worry about, think about, rely on, work on.
Homework
Write 8 sentences about your current role and projects. Include at least 3 sentences using stranded prepositions in relative clauses: 'The project I am working on...', 'The colleague I report to...', 'The client I spoke to...'