# choice in / choice of (grammar)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-in-choice-of-grammar/392497>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 16, 2007, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-in-choice-of-grammar/392497 "2007-02-16T16:52:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-in-choice-of-grammar/392497/1 "2007-02-16T16:52:49Z")

</div>

I’m having an argument with my coworker about the wording of a sentence in the company brochure. It comes down to whether to use “choices in” vs “choices of”. I like “choices in” better but I admit that I’m basing that only on how it sounds to my ears. Does anyone know what the actual grammar rules for this are? The particular sentence in question is “You mix and match the style from choices in color, fabric, and more.” I’d love to know what the general rule is though. Also wondering about the legitimacy of “from” over “with” in that sentence. Thanks!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-in-choice-of-grammar/392497/2 "2007-02-16T17:27:29Z")

</div>

The pronouns govern different concepts as objects. One has a choice **in** what the preferred choice becomes, one has a choice **of** the options available from which to choose.

Elections give us a choice in who our elected officials will be. We get a choice of candidates for the office.

If you go to a restaurant, you have a choice in your dinner – a choice of the various menu items.

In your example, color, style, fabric, etc. are categories you choose in – you get a choice of green, blue, or purple. (And my ear says “with” rather than “from” as a stylistic choice, but either would be accurate.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![According\_to\_Pliny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-in-choice-of-grammar/392497/3 "2007-02-16T17:27:40Z")

</div>

I agree with your wording. But I doubt you’ll find any style book that fusses over the distinction. Both versions are quite common.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-in-choice-of-grammar/392497/4 "2007-02-16T17:33:02Z")

</div>

I think you also have a choice from the list of options as a whole.