Historically:
* In the past, it was considered a grammatical error to end a sentence with a pronoun. This rule stemmed from Latin grammar, where it was considered incorrect to end a sentence with a preposition.
* This rule was eventually deemed unnecessary and outdated by English grammarians.
Modern Usage:
* Today, ending a sentence with a pronoun is perfectly acceptable in most situations.
* This is because English grammar is flexible and prioritizes clarity and natural flow.
Examples:
* "Who did you go to the store with?" (Ending with "with" is acceptable)
* "I went to the store with them." (Ending with "them" is also acceptable)
However, there are some cases where it might sound awkward or unclear:
* Emphasis: If you want to emphasize the pronoun, placing it at the beginning of the sentence might be more effective. For example, "They are the ones who deserve credit."
* Formal Writing: In very formal writing, some writers might choose to avoid ending sentences with pronouns for stylistic reasons.
In conclusion, ending a sentence with a pronoun is generally considered grammatically correct and natural in English. If you are unsure about a particular sentence, consider its context, formality, and clarity.