What is the correct option of these two following options? I'm talking about the beak of the Bulbul birds.
Bulbul bird beak
Bulbul bird's beak
asked Oct 31, 2015 at 23:58
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4Neither of those is a sentence. Please provide the full sentence you are considering.– JimNov 1, 2015 at 0:36
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1 Answer
Whether you use a possessive with apostrophe-s ("Bulbul bird's beak") or a noun adjunct ("Bulbul bird beak") depends on how you wish the phrase to be used. If you are describing a beak that belongs to the bird or is of the bird, then use the first one. If you are generally modifying the noun's meaning, especially if referring to Bulbul birds' beaks in general, then it is better to use the second. Often you will find that either option is acceptable. If I am talking about a particular Bulbul bird, then it is better to use the possessive, for example "I like to stroke my Bulbul bird's beak." If I am talking about the concept of the beak, especially as it relates to any Bulbul bird, either option is fine, for example: "Few beaks are as fascinating as the Bulbul bird beak." or "Few beaks are as fascinating as the Bulbul bird's beak."
