That's true, even in works of non-fiction. E.g., my current read, "Among The Ruins -- The Decline and Fall of the Roman Catholic Church" by Paul Williams PhD is replete with sentences ending in prepositions. Preposition | Definition of Preposition by Merriam-Webster (merriam-webster.com) (****) Frequently Asked Questions About preposition Can you end a sentence with a preposition? There is nothing wrong with ending a sentence in a preposition like to, with, for, or at. English speakers have been doing so since the days of Old English. The people who claim that a terminal preposition is wrong are clinging to an idea born in the 17th century and largely abandoned by grammar and usage experts in the early 20th. ________ The old nuns mid-20th century disagreed and would rap offenders' knuckles.
Perhaps a thread on this is needed. I saw your other one on the subjunctive case...you may as well be speaking Mandarin. This is an area of my education that shall never be remedied, just as history is. Regarding Webster's opinion: I cannot think of a single example of a sentence ending with "at" where the meaning is not changed by just omitting the word.
There was a cellphone commercial: "Where you at?" Add this to your list of vicarious embarrassment. Or this: Q: What were the last words of Lizzie Borden's parents? A: Don't axe me.
Like when it was expected that Michael Jordan would make every shot he aimed for on the court? If he missed a shot, fans would go "what, he couldn't have!"
“Where you at” or rather “y’at” as in, hey bro, y’at?” was pretty common place in New Orleans but I imagine that’s been replaced by “zup” or wazzup. The only time I get a little red faced when listening to a conversation is when I see a well educated acquaintance or friend butchering the English language in order to gain some street cred or look cool. Older white guys obviously facing an age crisis with their pants around their knees and trying to rap kinda gets me too.
OK, here's embarrassed for ya.......I'm at the playground this morning with the little'uns and they wanted me to go down the slide. I got stuck about halfway down the twisty tunnel and one of the dads had to tug me out. I'll never be able to show my face again there (or my derriere)........LOL.
The execs at Budweiser were embarrassed when one of their employees told people where the beer really comes from -- or was it from where the beer really comes? At any rate, "Clydesdales."
In view of that statement, I wish to change my reply to: Being in a crowded elevator when some man farts and having everybody look at me. Even though I am quite innocent of the dirty deed.
Young man of country origins is accepted at Harvard. On his first day, he is trying to find the library. He stops two well-dressed young men of obvious moneyed background and asks, "Where's the library at?" They sneer at him and one, in lofty tones, replies, "Even country bumpkins like you should know that one should never end a sentence with a preposition. If you have any intention of prospering at Harvard, you'll learn this and learn it quickly!" "Oh, Ah'm sorry, fellers! Ah'll try to do better. Let me ask that again......Where's the library at, a$$holes?"
Then you shouldn't feel embarrassed but rather superior over these ignoramuses who don't realize that females aren't capable of cutting farts. Sheesh