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Tai Kim Yi Posted 9 years ago
Grammar
Apostrophe with or without s: chicken wings / dog's tail
Hi!
I am wondering why chicken wings, but not chicken's wings and why dog's tail, but not dog tail. Or they are replaceable? Are there any principles for using apostrophe with an 's' in such cases?
Many thanks,
K
Top answer
"chicken wings" normally means the food item. g. ) chicken's wings" or "chickens' wings".
- "chicken wings" normally means the food item.
- g.
- ) chicken's wings" or "chickens' wings".
- If "dog tail" existed, it feels as if it should have a specialised meaning, à la "chicken wing(s)".
- I can't find any evidence that such a meaning exists.
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1 Answers
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"chicken wings" normally means the food item. In other cases, e.g. when referring to the live bird, you would say "(a/the/etc.) chicken's wings" or "chickens' wings".
If "dog tail" existed, it feels as if it should have a specialised meaning, à la "chicken wing(s)". I can't find any evidence that such a meaning exists.
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