Here's a breakdown:
* Latin Influence: Latin, a highly inflected language, doesn't use prepositions in the same way as English. Latin grammar dictated that prepositions should come before their objects, so some early English grammarians, influenced by Latin, tried to apply this rule to English.
* Misinterpretation of Prescriptive Rules: Some prescriptive grammar rules, emphasizing a "proper" way of writing, attempted to impose Latin structures on English, leading to the misconception about prepositions.
* Artificial Restriction: The rule forbidding ending sentences with prepositions is artificial and unnecessary. It often forces awkward sentence constructions that are less natural and clear.
Why the Myth Persists:
* Tradition: The myth has been around for centuries and is deeply ingrained in some people's minds.
* Formal Writing: Some styles of formal writing might prefer avoiding prepositions at the end of sentences, but this is often a matter of preference, not a hard rule.
* Misinformation: Misinformation about grammatical rules can be perpetuated by misinformed teachers, textbooks, and other resources.
The Reality:
Ending sentences with prepositions is perfectly acceptable in English. It's often the most natural and clear way to express an idea. Focus on using language effectively to convey meaning, not on following outdated and unnecessary rules.