English Question: I like cats/a cat/the cat?

Question

When I talk about "Among all the animals, what are my favorite one?", I would naturally say, "I like cats" using a plural common noun without 'a' or 'the'. I understand that.

I am thinking, however, whether we can think of any specific situations or contexts under which we'd prefer to say, "I like a cat" or "I like the cat", still meaning "cats in general".

In daily conversations, "I like cats." is used most frequently, and "I like the cat" sounds like I am talking about a specific one or applying an abstruct idea on 'CAT', ie. making the sentence sound more literal.

(1) I like cats.
(2) I like a cat.
(3) I like the cat.

About the sentences #2 and #3, can you think of any proper situations where we can naturally say 'a cat' or 'the cat', meaning 'cats in general?? I hope you people understand what I want to know here.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

"Do you like dogs or cats?"
"I think I'd prefer a cat."
Implying that you'd take any cat over a dog, so you like all cats.

"Which do you like better, the dogs or cats?"
"I like the cats."
Of course, you'd have to be looking at some sort of representation of cats and something else as a species, like a book on dogs and cats.

Really though, to say that you like cats in general, the most direct logical way to say it is, "I like cats." Anything else has different logical implications or attached meanings.

Answer 2

"A cat is a very unique animal. Unlike the dog, the cat is independent and does not need a person slobbering over her. I like the cat for its grace and agility. Personally, I like a cat to be a bit less aloof and more personable."

In these sentences, I've used "a cat" and "the cat" to refer to cats in general. Also did the same with "the dog"!) So yes, it can be done.

"Among all the animals, my favorite is the cat..."
"If I could choose a favorite animal, it would be a cat..."

While the second sentence here is more specific, it's still a generalization, and does not really refer to any particular cat.

Answer 3

I think once you add an article (a, an, or the) to a word, it just automatically becomes singular in meaning. When meaning cats in general, the plural is used because the person you are speaking to can then realize you mean more than just one specific cat; you like all cats.

I can't think of any situations where "a cat" or "the cat" could mean more than just one specific cat.

Answer 4

By the way, the question is, "What is my favorite one," not "What are my favorite one." Normally I wouldn't correct, but since this is English you're talking about . . .
In regards to what you are writing, you're correct about "the" being specific, etc. In writing, "I like cats." is correct as well as in speaking. I can see "a cat" being used in a general sense, though it is not as proper. But I cannot see "the cat" being used. Sometimes those who have English as a second language would say that (for instance, saying "I like the cat" is the proper way to say it in Spanish and so many who are learning English would say that), but it is not proper in English.

Answer 5

1.) We all like cats, but,
2) I like a cat that uses the litter box.
3) I like the cat that looks like the Mother, because who knows who the Father is! (never sticks around long enough) The others must take after "Dad"!

Answer 6

I like a cat (to be properly behaved).
I like the cat (as a domestic animal).
...you really need something to describe the cat that you are talking about...to take it out of 'all cats' ...to a certain group of cats....hope you understand what I mean....not for cats in general as such, but for a certain group of cats in general