When it comes to grammar, even small nuances can cause confusion. A great example is the distinction between “What kind of” and “What kinds of.” Though these two phrases are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, understanding the differences can significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing and speech.
In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between “What kind of” and “What kinds of,” offer practical examples, and provide tips to ensure you’re using the correct form in various contexts. By the end, you’ll have a solid grasp of how to use these phrases confidently.
Key Differences Between “What Kind of” and “What Kinds of”
At first glance, “What kind of” and “What kinds of” might seem quite similar. After all, both are used to ask about the type or category of something. However, their grammatical structures and usage differ significantly.
“What kind of” is used when referring to a singular category, type, or thing. It works with singular or uncountable nouns.
“What kinds of” is used when referring to more than one category, type, or thing, usually with plural nouns.
Singular vs. Plural
| Phrase | Usage | Example |
| What kind of | Refers to a singular category or type | What kind of music do you listen to? |
| What kinds of | Refers to multiple categories or types | What kinds of music do you like? |
The Importance of Verb Agreement
In English, verb agreement plays a key role in deciding whether to use “kind” or “kinds.” Here’s how it works:
- What kind of uses singular verbs because “kind” is singular.
- Example: “What kind of movie is this?”
- What kinds of uses plural verbs because “kinds” is plural.
- Example: “What kinds of movies are playing tonight?”
Understanding the Correct Application
Now that we’ve explored the basic differences, let’s dive deeper into when and how to use “What kind of” and “What kinds of” properly.
“What Kind of” – When to Use It
You use “What kind of” when referring to a singular thing or when you’re asking about a type or category of something that is not plural.
- Singular Countable Nouns:
Example: “What kind of car do you drive?”
In this case, “car” is a singular countable noun, so “kind of” is the appropriate choice. - Uncountable Nouns:
Example: “What kind of music do you prefer?”
Here, “music” is an uncountable noun, so again, “kind of” is used.
“What Kinds of” – When to Use It
Use “What kinds of” when referring to more than one category, especially when the noun you are talking about is plural.
- Plural Countable Nouns:
Example: “What kinds of books are you interested in?”
The noun “books” is plural, so “kinds of” is the correct form. - Multiple Categories of Things:
Example: “What kinds of snacks do you have?”
When discussing multiple snack options, “kinds of” is used to refer to the variety of categories.
Contextual Understanding – When to Use Each Form
Understanding when to use “kind of” and “kinds of” is not just about following rules. Context plays a significant role, too. Here are some important contextual guidelines:
Singular Nouns with Multiple Attributes
Sometimes, you might encounter situations where the noun is singular, but you’re asking about its different qualities or attributes. This is where “What kind of” becomes crucial.
Example:
- “What kind of person are you?”
Here, “person” is singular, but the question is inquiring about different qualities or attributes of that person.
Plural Nouns with Singular Classification
There are also cases where we discuss plural nouns that may refer to a single category or group. In these cases, you can still use “What kinds of” if you’re talking about various elements within the group.
Example:
- “What kinds of flowers are in the garden?”
Here, while “flowers” is plural, the question is still referring to a singular group—flowers in the garden. You’re asking about various types within that group.
Common Errors and Misconceptions
Despite being fairly straightforward, many English learners (and even native speakers) make mistakes when using “What kind of” vs. “What kinds of.” Let’s break down the most common errors.
Overgeneralization
One of the most frequent mistakes is overgeneralizing and using “What kinds of” when “What kind of” would be more appropriate, or vice versa.
Example of incorrect use:
- “What kinds of coffee do you drink?” (This might sound natural in casual conversation, but “What kind of coffee” would be grammatically correct when talking about a single type or category of coffee.)
Influence of Regional Dialects
Sometimes, regional dialects influence the way these phrases are used. For example, in some regions, people may frequently use “What kinds of” even when referring to singular nouns. This isn’t technically correct in standard English, but it’s common in casual speech.
Misinterpretation in Formal vs. Informal Settings
In formal settings, it’s crucial to follow the standard rules of grammar. Avoid using “What kinds of” when referring to singular nouns, even in informal contexts, for a more professional tone.
Misunderstanding Verb Agreement
People sometimes forget that the subject of the sentence (whether it’s singular or plural) determines the form of the verb. For example, saying, “What kind of things are you doing?” is wrong because “things” is plural. The correct form would be “What kinds of things are you doing?”
Detailed Examples for Better Understanding
Let’s explore a series of examples to ensure you’re fully comfortable with these phrases.
Examples Using “What Kind of”
- “What kind of car is that?”
- “Car” is singular, so we use “kind of” to ask about its category.
- “What kind of job do you have?”
- In this case, “job” is singular, so “kind of” is used to refer to the type of work someone does.
- “What kind of food do you like?”
- Here, “food” is uncountable, making “What kind of” the correct phrase.
- “What kind of book are you reading?”
- “Book” is singular, so “kind of” is used to inquire about the specific genre or type.
Examples Using “What Kinds of”
- “What kinds of movies do you enjoy?”
- “Movies” is plural, so we use “What kinds of” to refer to the different categories of films.
- “What kinds of pets do you have?”
- “Pets” is plural, making “kinds of” the correct choice to talk about multiple types of animals.
- “What kinds of clothes should I bring to the trip?”
- “Clothes” is a plural noun, and you’re asking about several different types, so “What kinds of” fits perfectly here.
- “What kinds of books are available at the library?”
- “Books” is plural, so “What kinds of” is the appropriate choice to inquire about different genres or subjects.
Summary of Key Takeaways
Here’s a quick-reference table to summarize when to use “What kind of” vs. “What kinds of.”
| Phrase | Usage | Example |
| What kind of | Singular or uncountable noun | What kind of music do you listen to? |
| What kinds of | Plural noun or multiple categories/types | What kinds of snacks do you have? |
Final Tips to Avoid Mistakes:
- Stick to singular nouns when using “What kind of.”
- Use plural nouns when asking about multiple types with “What kinds of.”
- Watch out for verb agreement – singular nouns take singular verbs, and plural nouns take plural verbs.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between “What kind of” and “What kinds of” is essential for anyone looking to improve their grammar. While these two phrases may seem simple, mastering their usage can make your writing and speaking sound more professional and precise. Remember, context is key, and once you grasp these rules, you’ll easily be able to use these phrases with confidence.
FAQs: What Kind of vs. What Kinds of
1. When should I use “What kind of” vs. “What kinds of”?
Use “What kind of” when referring to a single type or category, usually with a singular or uncountable noun. Use “What kinds of” when asking about multiple categories, usually with a plural noun.
- Example: What kind of coffee do you drink? (Refers to a single category of coffee)
- Example: What kinds of coffee do you drink? (Refers to multiple types of coffee)
2. Is “What kind of” grammatically correct when referring to multiple things?
Yes, as long as you’re referring to a single category that contains multiple things.
- Example: What kind of books do you read? (Asking about the genre of books, which is a singular category)
However, if you’re asking about different types of books, then “What kinds of” would be the better choice.
- Example: What kinds of books do you read? (Asking about multiple book genres)
3. Can I use “What kind of” with plural nouns?
Generally, no. “What kind of” is typically followed by a singular noun or an uncountable noun. However, there are exceptions when referring to a singular category that includes plural items.
- Correct: What kind of fruit do you like? (“Fruit” is an uncountable noun.)
- Incorrect: What kind of cars do you own? (Should be “What kinds of cars do you own?” because “cars” is plural.)
4. Does the verb change based on “kind” vs. “kinds”?
Yes, verb agreement matters.
- Singular: “What kind of car is that?” (“Car” is singular, so we use “is.”)
- Plural: “What kinds of cars are available?” (“Cars” is plural, so we use “are.”)
5. Is “What kinds of” always necessary when referring to multiple things?
Not always. If you’re asking about one general category, “What kind of” may still be correct.
- Example: What kind of shoes do you like? (Shoes belong to one general category.)
- Example: What kinds of shoes do you like? (If referring to multiple categories like sneakers, boots, sandals, etc.)
6. Can “What kind of” be used for abstract concepts?
Yes! “What kind of” is often used with intangible or abstract nouns like music, advice, behavior, help, information, etc.
- Example: What kind of music do you enjoy?
- Example: What kind of advice did you receive?
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