Pumas are large animals vs A puma is a large animal

Quote:

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Pumas are large, cat-like animals which are found in America.

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Will the meaning of the quoted sentence be materially altered if I rewrite it as A puma is a large, cat-like animal which is found in America?

I would presume they both convey the same meaning.

Then there is the question. What factor would influence your choice, making you choose one instead of the other? Or perhaps it really doesn’t matter.

Many thanks

Richard

You're right to think that they convey broadly the same meaning. Which one you choose will depend on your focus. In a reference book you would see 'Pumas are large animals' or even 'The puma is a large animal' - where 'The puma' is used generically.

If you were telling a story about walking through a jungle, and suddenly seeing a puma, you might say 'I turned a corner and was suddenly confronted by this huge puma. Now a puma is a large animal, and I was pretty scared. Luckily, though, he was intent on etc etc...'

b

very nice explaination. thank you.