In English grammar, ‘generic reference’ is used when you make a reference to all the members of a class of people or things.
So I can say "A lizard is like a dinosaur in appearance" and "Lizards are like dinosaurs in appearance" as well.
But I often see "I like bananas" in English. Can I change it to "I like a banana"?
I like a banana.
Give me a banana, I'll eat it.
I like bananas.
Give me a banana, I'll eat it.
I like banana.
I like banana flavor. Banana ice cream, banana pudding, banana bread, whatever.
The like in, "A lizard is like a dinosaur in appearance..." means similar.
The like in, "I like bananas." expresses a preference.
In general you cannot say, "I like a banana." That is, you could add a specification to express that you like to eat a banana in a particular situation, e.g. "I like a banana in the morning."
You cannot say, "I like a banana." to express that you want a banana as that should be, "I would like a banana." nor to express that you resemble a banana as that would be, "I look like a banana." ;-)
I like tea. As I write this I have a cup of tea at my elbow. Someone enters. She says "tea, at this time of night?' I reply "I like a nice cup of tea". The possible alternative reply "I like a cup of tea" does not do justice to the question. The insertion of the indefinite article changes, actually, it increases the emphasis of what is being said.
There is a similar difference in meaning between "I like beer" and "I like my beer". The latter phrase implies that drinking beer is a regular and enjoyable part of the speaker's life, whereas the former phrase merely includes beer alongside all the other things that the speaker might like.
