Stranding the preposition at the end is the everyday spoken pattern, as in the colleague who I spoke to, while fronting it before the pronoun is the formal, written pattern, as in the colleague to whom I spoke. Fronted prepositions can only be followed by whom for people or which for things.
Grammar Rule
Stranding the preposition at the end is the everyday spoken pattern; fronting it before the pronoun is the formal, written pattern. Fronted prepositions can only be followed by whom (people) or which (things) — never who or that. A zero relative pronoun is possible only with stranding, never with fronting.
Prepositions Stranded vs Fronted in Formal Writing: Rules and Examples
| Register | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stranded (informal) | preposition at end, who/that/zero allowed | The colleague who I spoke to. |
| Fronted (formal) | preposition + whom/which only | The colleague to whom I spoke. |
Remember: Front prepositions only with whom or which, never with who or that, and reserve stranding for informal or neutral registers.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below choosing correctly between stranded and fronted prepositions. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
C2-27 Prepositions Stranded vs. Fronted in Formal Writing
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stranded preposition pattern?
The everyday spoken pattern with the preposition at the end, as in the colleague who I spoke to.
What is the fronted preposition pattern?
The formal, written pattern with the preposition before the pronoun, as in the colleague to whom I spoke.
Which relative pronouns can follow a fronted preposition?
Only whom for people or which for things, never who or that.
Can a zero relative pronoun be used with fronting?
No, a zero relative pronoun is possible only with stranding.