I don't like apple/apples, cat/cats...

[Tedwonny]

According to the singular count noun rule in English, countable nouns if used singularly must be preceded by some function words such as articles [a / an] and some determiners [e.g. my].

I was thinking if this still applies in the following structure:

I love + (1) an apple / (2) apple / (3) apples.

If we follow the singular count noun rule, only (1) and (3) are grammaticall; however, as 1 doesn't quite make sense - as if you only love one but you detest two or more, which is only applicable to certain contexts; the author wants to express that they love 'apples' in general. So, my questions are

- should we always use the plural forms for structures like I love..., I hate..., I don't like... ?
- is (2) possible?

Many Thanks

 

[5jj]

These are possible:

1. I love apples.
2. I love apple (cooked, for dessert).
3. I love an apple (for breakfast).

Note that #1 is what we'd normally expect. The other two are possible only in certain contexts.

 

[Rover_KE]

You'd only say 'I love cat' if you were eating it — like 'I love chicken'.

 

[Tedwonny]

Brilliant! Many Thanks
That means my hypothesis was right. The singular count noun rule still applies. How about the generic reference?
I heard people sometimes use the + noun to refer to a group of things.

Can I say:
I like the cat? [referring to cats in general?] I don't like the apple? [referring to apples in general, red or green]?

Thanks again

 

[5jj]

Can I say:
I like the cat? [referring to cats in general?] I don't like the apple? [referring to apples in general, red or green]?

It's not impossible, in a formal lecture, for example, but I don't recommend it.

 

[Tdol]

Can I say:
I like the cat? [referring to cats in general?]

In most contexts, people would wonder which cat.

 

[emsr2d2]

The article works for a collective noun in phrases like "Save the Whale". It doesn't refer to a single whale, it refers to the battle to save the entire species.

"I'm going on a demo/march on Saturday to save the Sumatran tiger."