Preposition Endings - When You Don't Need Them

Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we’re saving the English language sixty seconds at a time! I’m Lauren Smyth, and recently I got a marketing email with this headline: “Get ready for festival season with fun standout pieces to dance the night away in.” This was jarring for several reasons. For one thing, there was no comma between “fun” and “standout,” which made me wonder whether we’re talking about being a “fun standout” or wearing “fun, standout pieces.” For another thing, what’s with that awkward “in” at the end of the sentence? It’s perfectly OK to end sentences with prepositions. Sometimes, you just can’t help it. But notice how short “in” is. It’s one syllable, two letters, and profoundly bland. A better way to write this sentence—and a way to grab positive attention—would be to leave off that “in” altogether. It’s pretty obvious you’re going to be dancing in your clothes (softly: I hope) so there’s no need to tack on that extra word. When in doubt: Get rid of the short, the bland, and the unhelpful. That’s your Grammar Minute! Visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.