[Grammar] Postcards/A postcard/The postcard ? and holiday/holidays?

[Mensu]

Hi,

1. A postcard always spoils my holiday.
2. The postcard always spoils my holiday.
3. Postcards always spoil my holiday.

Which would be correct and natural English?

I mean "postcard" in general, not a particular one.
I've learned that "A Noun", "The Noun" and "Noun s" can all refer to the "Noun" in general. For instance:

A tiger is a dangerous animal.=The tiger is a dangerous animal.=Tigers are dangerous animals.

So I would think all of #1,#2 and #3 are correct. Are they?

By the way, should I say "my holiday" or "my holidays"? I mean "holiday" in general.

Thank you very much in advance!

 

[5jj]

1. A postcard always spoils my holiday.
2. The postcard always spoils my holiday.
3. Postcards always spoil my holiday.

Which would be correct and natural English? I mean "postcard" in general, not a particular one.

#3 is the most natural; #1 is possible, though ambiguous. #2 is not possible in the sense you are talking about.

I've learned that "A Noun", "The Noun" and "Noun s" can all refer to the "Noun" in general. For instance:
A tiger is a dangerous animal.=The tiger is a dangerous animal.=Tigers are dangerous animals.

You could say, "The postcard was a feature of the British summer holiday for over a century" - that is talking about the general idea. In your sentence you are talking only about postcards you received or sent.

By the way, should I say "my holiday" or "my holidays"? I mean "holiday" in general.

Both are possible.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Hi,

1. A postcard always spoils my holiday.
2. The postcard always spoils my holiday.
3. Postcards always spoil my holiday.

Which would be correct and natural English?

I mean "postcard" in general, not a particular one.
I've learned that "A Noun", "The Noun" and "Noun s" can all refer to the "Noun" in general. For instance:

A tiger is a dangerous animal.=The tiger is a dangerous animal.=Tigers are dangerous animals.

So I would think all of #1,#2 and #3 are correct. Are they?

By the way, should I say "my holiday" or "my holidays"? I mean "holiday" in general.

Thank you very much in advance!

I understand your confusion. The analogy between postcards and tigers doesn't work. The meaning of "a tiger" is an individual tiger. The meaning of "the tiger" can be a specific tiger or tigers in general. Postcard, in your use, does not have a "general class" definition like "tiger" does.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm interested to know how a postcard can spoil your holiday! ;-)

 

[Mensu]

I'm interested to know how a postcard can spoil your holiday! ;-)

It is a sentence from a passage:
Postcards always spoil my holidays. Last summer, I went to Italy. I visited museums and sat in public gardens. A friendly waiter taught me a few words of Italian. Then he lent me a book. I read a few lines, but I did not understand a word. Everyday I thought about postcards. My holidays passed quickly, but I did not send cards to my friends. On the last day I made a big decision. I got up early and bought thirty-seven cards. I spent the whole day in my room, but I did not write a single card!