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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.
- 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.
- That said, in the case of foods, at least, it seems to me that the majority of cases are compound nouns, the use of the possessive being restricted to the case where the 'possessor' is a living animal.
- lamb chop, pork chop, veal chop, chicken leg, potato dumplings, cucumber salad, pickle relish, beef stew, celery hearts cow's milk, goat's milk, hen's eggs Here's one that combines both: bird's nest soup CJ
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3 Answers
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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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