Under the rules of English, we are never to end a sentence with a preposition. Oddly, old though I am, I have been doing it all my life. Actually, most of us do. Many don’t know it…or care.

For those unaware, we should not say, “What did you do that for?” It’s more correct to say, “Why did you do that?”

Words such as to, with, for, on and the like are prepositions and, technically require objects, or a word immediately following it associated with it. For instance, in the previous sentence, I used it with with. (Careful how you read that)

Though I was taught in high school, I rarely paid it much attention. Near as I can tell, few ever noticed. Then I started writing, with a grammar checker. Seemed, every time I turned around, the grammar checker told me, “You can’t do that. It’s not proper. “

Many times, I welcome those suggestions. Other times I want to tell the smart Alecky thing to just stuff it.

I hate to admit it, but sometimes, I just can’t say what I want to say unless I end the sentence with to, with or one of those other little words. Well, I guess I could, but it would either be long or awkward.

I know there are those who adhere to this rule, but sometimes I think we need to take a vote. Time to eliminate it. At least they should make it a little optional.

For my aside, ever since I’ve been writing, it seems I’m getting more critical of others speech, which I really don’t much care for. (Please forgive the terminating for.) Nonetheless, there is one irritation I’ve developed that one irritant I believe to be valid. It seems folks do like to overuse “ing.” Why say hoping when you mean hope. Why say guessing when you mean guess. They truly do have separate meanings and I hear news reporters do it all the time. I’m not even sure it’s ever been addressed before. Ing is already a very common word ending. We just don’t need to add to them.

I’m guessing you can let me known what you all are thinking about it. I’ll be letting you.