Grammar question: Between or among

[Alex Franke]

Anyone happen to know which word I should use here? (between or among)

"You must choose between/among the two or more options provided."

Thanks! =)

[Uncle Cracker]

Thank heavens you only gave us two possibilities to choose between...

[LinuxRandal]

I don't know if it's proper, but I have always heard among/amongst refering to people and between refering to other things.

[cgallery]

Either is fine, "between" is somewhat hackneyed.

[Alex Franke]

Thank heavens you only gave us two possibilities to choose between...

That's the problem. It's not always just two possibilities. It's "two or more." I'd always learned to use "between" when there are two choices, and "among" when there are more than two. In this case, though, it can be either two or more than two... Maybe I should just reword it. Each sounds a little strange to me...

[Stormbringer]

Agree on the reword.

"You must choose from the options provided"

Simple. Clear. Gramatically correct. That'll be $5.00

[Uncle Cracker]

"From" definitely works in pretty much every instance...

[gwyneth]

Agree on the reword.

"You must choose from the options provided"

Simple. Clear. Gramatically correct. That'll be $5.00

It's been a few years since I was an editor, but it hasn't been too long to admire the suggestion. Very nice.

[Stytooner]

I am among those that like the suggestion in post #6. Between it and the original sentence, post #6 seems more appropriate and less confusing.

[LarryG]

As originally written, "between" would be preferred. When there are more than two choices, "between" is arguably wrong. When there are only two choices, "among" is definitely wrong.

However, in these cases when neither choice seems exactly right, rewording is always the best solution. Either "from the options" or "one of the options" would work.

[LCHIEN]

"Please Choose one of the options."

("From" not required)

Maybe just "Pick one:" for brevity.

Generally I would say between connotes a reference to two things
as in stand between us. choose between A and B. (exception in frequently used cliche' - Between
you, me, and the fence post)

"Among" denotes choices or dispersal in or around several items.

[JR]

"Please Choose one of the options."

Generally I would say between connotes a reference to two things...

"Among" denotes choices ...in or around several items.

I like this option, too.

BTW - it's interesting that BT3 contibutors know the rules for between and among when so many writers and editors do not. Now, the eigth-grade teacher who taught me that rule was a real piece of work!

JR

[Sawduster]

I am among those that like the suggestion in post #6. Between it and the original sentence, post #6 seems more appropriate and less confusing.

Gotta hide this from the LOML. One of her biggest peeves is the use of "that" in a people context.

[Stytooner]

Gotta hide this from the LOML. One of her biggest peeves is the use of "that" in a people context.

....and I chose that because I don't know whether to use who or whom.

[Sawduster]

....and I chose that because I don't know whether to use who or whom.

Me, too. Or is that supposed to be, "I, too."