A dog and dogs

Hello,

I have a question,
would you please tell me your opinion?

When you read following sentences,
What kind of differences do you see between A and B?

A:'I like a dog'
B:'I like dogs'

It's difficult to think of any situation in which anyone would say A. It's incomplete as it stands.

I like a dog that doesn't bark a lot. = I like the kind of dog that doesn't bark a lot.

I like dogs. = I am a dog lover. = I like all dogs. = I like all kinds of dogs.

CJ

Perhaps a wee bit, yes. "I like dogs" = "I like dogs in general" =? "I like most dogs" =? "I like almost all dogs, except the ones I don't like because they bark too much or they bite or they have other unattractive characteristics."

The alternative "I like some dogs" doesn't appeal to me as a paraphrase, however.

"A" can imply that the idea (essence) of "dog" is appealing. It can act to emphasize a certain type of statement, for example: 'I like a dog. A dog provides companionship, devotion, and love.' "B" could be used in a similar way, but would be a general statement about all dogs, while "A" makes a statement that the speaker appreciates or would appreciate having a dog.

Rolebra wrote:
"A" can imply that the idea (essence) of "dog" is appealing. It can act to emphasize a certain type of statement, for example: 'I like a dog. A dog provides companionship, devotion, and love.' "B" could be used in a similar way, but would be a general statement about all dogs, while "A" makes a statement that the speaker appreciates or would appreciate having a dog.

JTT: Rolebra's right, in this context. As I've said many times but it can't be emphasized enough;

Q: What is important in deciding what language to choose?
A: Context context context and finally context.

But as a single response to a simple question, one that I'm quite certain Yoko was asking about, it's strange English.

A: What animal(s) do you like?

B: I like a dog.*

B: I like dogs.