Who are you talking to? (preposition at the end)
Who are you talking to? (preposition at the end) means “In everyday questions the preposition stays at the end: Who are you talking to?, What are you looking for?”. When a wh- question asks about the object of a preposition, everyday English leaves the preposition at the end of the sentence: Who are you talking to. Formation: question word ... verb + preposition (preposition stays at the end)
In everyday questions the preposition stays at the end: Who are you talking to?, What are you looking for?
A2Formation
question word ... verb + preposition (preposition stays at the end)
Explanation
When a wh- question asks about the object of a preposition, everyday English leaves the preposition at the end of the sentence: Who are you talking to?, What are you looking for?, Where does she come from? The question word goes first and the little preposition trails behind. This sounds natural and friendly, and is the normal spoken form.
Examples
Note
Very formal writing can move the preposition to the front with whom: To whom are you talking? In speech, the end-preposition version is far more common.
FAQ
Who are you talking to? (preposition at the end) — what does it mean and how is it used?
In everyday questions the preposition stays at the end: Who are you talking to?, What are you looking for?. When a wh- question asks about the object of a preposition, everyday English leaves the preposition at the end of the sentence: Who are you talking to?, What are you looking for?, Where does she come from? The question word goes first and the little preposition trails behind. This sounds natural and friendly, and is the normal spoken form.
Who are you talking to? (preposition at the end) — how do you form it?
question word ... verb + preposition (preposition stays at the end)
Who are you talking to? (preposition at the end) — any usage notes?
Very formal writing can move the preposition to the front with whom: To whom are you talking? In speech, the end-preposition version is far more common.