[sqhahn10]

Dear Sue (Susan 53),
Thank you very much for your time and trouble in answering the generic reference question I posted.
The reason why I asked the question was that I chanced to read (not thoroughly) a grammar book entitled A Grammar of Contemporary English, Randolph Quirk, et al, which has the following explanation as to the generic reference on page 150.
With indefinite specific reference, singular count nouns take the indefinite article a(n), while plural count nouns and mass nouns take zero article or, usually, the ‘light quantitative article’ some (and any in nonassertive contexts, see 4.127): I want a pen /some pens/some ink. With generic reference, the distinction for number and definiteness are neutralized with count nouns. With mass nouns, only the zero article is possible:
The tiger is
A tiger is
Tigers are } beautiful
Music is

I will really appreciate your kind response to my above information.

All the best,

Song