BW2/3 Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
classification
Lamb chop or lamb's chop.
cow's milk or cow milk.
which is correct ? and why ?
Thanks
cow's milk or cow milk.
which is correct ? and why ?
Thanks
Top answer
The choice between possessive noun + noun or compound noun (noun + noun) is, unfortunately, mostly unpredictable in English. " cannot really be answered, as there is no uniform answer. You learn which is correct in a specific case only by consulting a dictionary or imitating the speech and writing of native speakers.
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The choice between possessive noun + noun or compound noun (noun + noun) is, unfortunately, mostly unpredictable in English. Your question "why?" cannot really be answered, as there is no uniform answer. You learn which is correct in a specific case only by consulting a dictionary or imitating the speech and writing of native speakers.
That said, in the case of foo
That said, in the case of foo
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Here is a general rule from my grammar book:
's when the item in the second noun is produced by the thing (often an animal) in the first: cow's milk.
's when the first noun is the user: baby's bedroom.
's when we talk about parts of people or animals: whale's tail.
noun+noun when we talk about parts of things: computer keyboard.
noun+noun when the animal is killed to prod
's when the item in the second noun is produced by the thing (often an animal) in the first: cow's milk.
's when the first noun is the user: baby's bedroom.
's when we talk about parts of people or animals: whale's tail.
noun+noun when we talk about parts of things: computer keyboard.
noun+noun when the animal is killed to prod
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