"In chain" and "of chain" are not common fixed combinations in modern English. With "chain," the correct preposition depends on the meaning and sentence structure.
English usually uses phrases such as "a chain of stores," "made of chain," or "in chains." The form "in chain" is generally nonstandard unless "chain" is used as an adjective before another noun, and "of chain" is uncommon except in phrases like "made of chain mail."
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
Use "chain of" to describe linked businesses, events, or objects.
Use the fixed phrase "in chains" for someone physically restrained.
"Chain" often modifies another noun directly without a preposition.
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
The fixed expression for restraint uses the plural form.
✕ The prisoner was in chain. ✓ The prisoner was in chains.This phrase usually needs another noun or a material expression.
✕ The bag is of chain. ✓ The bag is made of chain mail.Many expressions use "chain" directly before another noun.
✕ They visited a store of chain. ✓ They visited a chain store.Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
Usually no. English normally uses "in chains" or a compound noun such as "chain store."
Only in limited structures such as "made of chain mail" or "chain of" expressions.
Common patterns include "chain of + noun," "in chains," and compound nouns like "chain restaurant."
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