What Kind of vs What Kinds of? Examples & Clear Differences

When it comes to English grammar, one of the most common questions people ask involves the difference between what kind of vs what kinds of. These two phrases might seem similar, but they have distinct meanings and usage rules. Understanding the subtle differences between them can significantly improve your grammar accuracy and effective communication. In this article, we’ll break down what kind of vs what kinds of, offering you a detailed guide with examples, common mistakes, and practical tips for choosing the right phrase in any context.

Why is There So Much Confusion?

Many people often misuse the phrases “What kind of vs What kinds of” in their speech and writing. While both can be used to ask about the nature, category, or type of something, the core difference lies in the singular and plural distinctions.

The correct use of these expressions is essential for contextual understanding. Incorrect usage can lead to confusion or grammar mistakes that make your speech sound unnatural or incorrect. Whether you’re asking about a specific type or multiple categories, the context of the question determines which phrase you should use.

Short Answer:

• What kind of is used when asking about one category or type (singular).
• What kinds of is used when referring to multiple categories or types (plural).

What Kind of

What Does What Kind of Mean?

The phrase “What kind of” is used when asking about a specific category or type of something. It refers to a singular group, item, or category that belongs to a broader classification. You can think of it as inquiring about one particular type within a larger category or group. When you use “what kind of,” you’re seeking details about one type or category within that group.

For example, if you’re asking someone about their taste in music, you’re asking them to specify the type of music they enjoy, which is a singular category within the broader world of music.

Usage Rules for “What Kind of”

The key to using “What kind of” correctly lies in understanding that it’s used with singular nouns or collective categories. Here’s a breakdown of the basic rules:

• Singular Subject: You use “What kind of” when the noun following it is singular. The question is asking for one category or type within a broader group.
• Collective Nouns: Sometimes, “What kind of” is used with collective nouns (like “team” or “group”), even though they represent multiple things. Since the collective noun represents a single group, the phrase stays singular.

Guideline: Use “What kind of” when you’re referring to one specific item, one category, or a general group of things treated as a singular entity.

Examples with “What Kind of”

Let’s look at a few examples to make this clearer:

1. “What kind of music do you listen to?” In this question, “music” is a singular noun that refers to a general category. The question is asking for one type of music, such as classical, jazz, or rock. Therefore, the phrase “what kind of” remains singular, matching the singular noun “music”.
   Explanation: Although there are many genres of music (rock, classical, jazz, etc.), when you ask “What kind of music,” you’re asking for one type or category from that larger pool. Thus, the noun “kind” stays singular, corresponding to the singular noun “music.”
2. “What kind of food do you prefer?” Here, “food” is another singular noun, even though it could encompass a wide range of different types (Italian, Mexican, fast food, etc.). The question is still about asking for one category of food that the person prefers, so “what kind of” is used.
   Explanation: Although food can be grouped into many different types or categories, the term itself is treated as singular. Therefore, the use of “what kind of” aligns with the singular nature of the noun.

What Kinds of

What Does “What Kinds of” Mean?

The phrase “What kinds of” is used when you want to ask about multiple types or categories within a specific group. Unlike “What kind of,” which focuses on a singular category or item, “What kinds of” refers to a plural subject and indicates that you are interested in more than one type or category.

For example, when asking about a range of types of books someone reads, you’re asking for multiple answers, as books can belong to various genres like mystery, romance, fantasy, etc.

In simple terms, “What kinds of” is a question asking about several types or categories within a broader group.

Usage Rules for “What Kinds of”

Here are the key rules for using “What kinds of” correctly:

• Plural Subject: Use “What kinds of” when the noun you are asking about is plural. This could be multiple items or categories that belong to a larger group.
• Multiple Types: When you are asking about multiple types or categories of something, you should always use “What kinds of”.

Guideline: Use “What kinds of” when the noun that follows is plural (like books, foods, movies, etc.), or when you are asking about several categories within a broader group.

Examples with “What Kinds of”

Let’s look at a couple of examples to see how “What kinds of” works in practice:

1. “What kinds of books do you read?”In this example, “books” is a plural noun, so the correct phrase is “What kinds of”. You’re asking about multiple genres or types of books the person enjoys, such as mystery, romance, and science fiction.
   Explanation: Since books is plural, “kinds” must also be plural. This shows that you’re interested in more than one genre or category of books.
2. “What kinds of foods do you like?”Here, “foods” is plural, and you’re asking about different types or categories of food, such as Italian, Chinese, or vegetarian. Therefore, “kinds” is used in its plural form.
   Explanation: The subject “foods” is plural, so “kinds” must follow suit. This tells us you’re inquiring about multiple types of food rather than just one.

Differences Based on Context

What Kind of vs What Kinds of

The key difference between “What kind of” and “What kinds of” comes down to the singular vs. plural distinction.

• What kind of refers to one category or type. It is used when the subject is singular or when you are talking about a general category.
• What kinds of refers to multiple types or categories. It is used when the subject is plural, or when you’re asking about more than one type within a category.

Examples of Contextual Usage

The context in which you’re speaking or writing is what determines whether you should use “What kind of” or “What kinds of”. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Singular Context: You use “What kind of” when asking about one specific type of thing.
  Example: “What kind of car do you drive?”
  This question is asking about one type of car. Even though there are many car types, the inquiry is focused on just one.
• Plural Context: You use “What kinds of” when asking about multiple types or categories of things.
  Example: “What kinds of cars do you like?”
  This question is asking about multiple types of cars, such as sedans, SUVs, and sports cars. The plural subject “cars” means you should use “kinds” in its plural form.

By understanding how the context affects the choice between “What kind of vs What kinds of,” you can use the right phrase depending on whether you’re asking about one category or several types.

Synonyms for “Kind of” and “Kinds of”

Let’s look at some synonyms for both expressions to help reinforce your understanding.

Synonyms for “Kind of”

1. Type
2. Category
3. Style
4. Genre
5. Class
6. Sort
7. Classification
8. Form
9. Variety
10. Group

Synonyms for “Kinds of”

1. Types of
2. Categories of
3. Varieties of
4. Sorts of
5. Styles of
6. Classes of
7. Forms of
8. Groups of
9. Classes
10. Subtypes

Comparison Table: What Kind of vs What Kinds of

Aspect	What Kind of	What Kinds of
Definition	Refers to a singular category or specific type.	Refers to multiple categories or types.
Usage	Used with singular nouns or when referring to one item.	Used with plural nouns or when referring to more than one item.
Examples	What kind of music do you like?	What kinds of books do you enjoy reading?
Common Contexts	Questions asking about a specific item or type.	Questions asking about several types or multiple categories.
Grammatical Context	Singular subject (e.g., one book, one food type).	Plural subject (e.g., many books, multiple foods).

Frequently Misunderstood Cases

Common Errors and Misconceptions

Even though the phrases “What kind of” and “What kinds of” are straightforward, many people still make mistakes or get confused about when to use them correctly. Here are some common errors and misconceptions:

1. Using “What kinds of” with a singular noun: One of the most frequent mistakes is using “What kinds of” with a singular noun. For instance, you might hear someone ask, “What kinds of music do you like?” since “music” is a singular noun. However, “kinds” should only be used with plural nouns, and the correct question would be, “What kind of music do you like?”
2. Using “What kind of” with a plural noun: On the flip side, some people make the mistake of using “What kind of” with plural nouns. For example, “What kind of books do you like?” The proper phrasing would be “What kinds of books do you like?” since “books” is plural, and you need to match it with the plural form “kinds.”
3. Confusing collective nouns: Collective nouns like “team” or “group” are tricky because they may seem like they should be treated as plural, but they’re considered singular entities. So, you should say “What kind of team is this?” not “What kinds of team are these?” Despite the “team” involving multiple people, it’s still treated as a singular subject.
4. Overusing plural forms in general inquiries: Sometimes, people might overuse “What kinds of” when they only need to ask about one category. For example, someone may ask, “What kinds of food do you like?” when they really just want to know about one type of food. In this case, the correct phrasing would be, “What kind of food do you like?”

Misuse of Singular vs Plural Forms

The key issue with “What kind of” and “What kinds of” often stems from the misuse of singular vs. plural forms. Here’s why this is crucial:

• “What kind of” is for singular subjects or when you’re asking about one specific type within a category. So, you should use it with singular nouns (e.g., “What kind of car do you drive?”).
• “What kinds of” is for plural subjects or when you’re asking about multiple types or categories. Use it with plural nouns (e.g., “What kinds of cars do you like?”).

It’s essential to understand that “kind” is singular and refers to one type, whereas “kinds” is plural and refers to multiple types. The confusion arises when people apply “kinds” to a singular noun or “kind” to a plural noun.

For example:

• Incorrect: “What kinds of music do you listen to?”
  • Correct: “What kind of music do you listen to?”
    (Because “music” is singular, you need the singular form “kind.”)
• Incorrect: “What kind of books do you read?”
  • Correct: “What kinds of books do you read?”
    (Since “books” is plural, you need the plural form “kinds.”)

Misinterpretation Due to Context

A lot of confusion arises when the context of the question is unclear. The distinction between “What kind of” and “What kinds of” can sometimes be difficult if you’re referring to categories that can be either singular or plural, depending on your phrasing. Here’s how to avoid confusion in these scenarios:

• Clarify the subject: If you’re unsure whether to use the singular or plural form, take a moment to determine if the subject is singular or plural. For example, ask yourself: Are you referring to one category or multiple types?
• Context of inquiry: Sometimes, the context of the question can affect the meaning. For example, if you’re asking about a specific group of items, you may use “What kind of” even though the group contains multiple types. But if you’re asking about the range of types within that group, you would use “What kinds of.”

For example, if you’re talking about foods in general, but referring to the different types of cuisine (Italian, Chinese, etc.), the plural form “kinds” is appropriate. However, if you are asking someone about their food preferences, it might be best to ask about one general type of food, as in “What kind of food do you like?”

41 Key Points for What Kind of vs What Kinds of

To help readers easily remember the differences between “What kind of” and “What kinds of,” here’s a quick list of 41 key takeaways:

1. What kind of is used with singular nouns or collective categories.
2. What kinds of is used with plural nouns or multiple categories.
3. The phrase “What kind of” is asking about one type or category.
4. The phrase “What kinds of” asks about multiple types or categories.
5. Always use “What kind of” when referring to a singular subject.
6. Always use “What kinds of” when referring to a plural subject.
7. Common error: “What kinds of” used with a singular noun (e.g., “What kinds of food do you like?”).
8. Common error: “What kind of” used with a plural noun (e.g., “What kind of books do you read?”).
9. “What kind of” is appropriate when you want to know about one category of something.
10. “What kinds of” is appropriate when asking about multiple types of something.
11. Misuse occurs when you confuse singular vs. plural nouns.
12. The context of the question matters in determining whether you should use “kind” or “kinds.”
13. What kinds of is used for things that can be counted and classified in multiple categories.
14. What kind of works well when you are asking about one specific example from a category.
15. “What kind of” is used in general categories (e.g., music, food).
16. “What kinds of” is used when discussing several types within a broader category.
17. Singular context: When you’re talking about one type (e.g., “What kind of movie do you like?”).
18. Plural context: When you’re talking about multiple types (e.g., “What kinds of movies do you like?”).
19. Keep track of whether you’re asking about one thing or several things.
20. What kind of applies when you ask about one specific element of a broader category.
21. What kinds of applies when you ask about multiple categories within a specific group.
22. The plural noun needs to match with “kinds”.
23. Avoid using “kinds” with a singular noun.
24. Avoid using “kind” with a plural noun.
25. What kinds of is used in inquiries about diverse categories (e.g., different foods, car models).
26. Always check the subject of the question to determine singular or plural.
27. Ensure you’re clear about what you’re asking for: one or multiple items.
28. Common mistakes include misusing singular and plural forms in these phrases.
29. “What kind of” is a more general inquiry.
30. “What kinds of” is a detailed inquiry asking about types or categories.
31. Misunderstanding arises when collective nouns are treated as plural.
32. Plural nouns require “kinds of”.
33. Avoid confusion by thinking about whether you’re asking about one category or multiple categories.
34. Use “What kind of” with non-countable nouns (e.g., “What kind of water do you prefer?”).
35. Use “What kinds of” when referring to multiple countable items (e.g., “What kinds of activities do you enjoy?”).
36. Context-based grammar can help guide whether “kind” or “kinds” is appropriate.
37. Consider whether your question focuses on a specific example or variety.
38. Misuse can lead to grammar mistakes and confusion.
39. Effective communication is about knowing when to use singular vs. plural.
40. Grammar accuracy improves when you understand countable vs. uncountable nouns.
41. Pay attention to common errors to ensure contextual understanding.

By focusing on these key points, you’ll better understand when to use “What kind of vs What kinds of” correctly, ensuring grammatical accuracy and effective communication!

When to Use Each Term

Knowing when to use what kind of and what kinds of largely depends on the noun that follows the phrase. Here’s how to decide:

• Use what kind of when referring to a singular noun or when you are talking about one specific category. For example, What kind of food do you like? Here, “food” is singular, so the question asks about one type of food.
• Use what kinds of when referring to plural nouns or when you are asking about multiple categories. For example, What kinds of books do you read? Since “books” is plural, this is the correct form.

Practical Tip: To avoid mistakes, always check if the subject is singular or plural before choosing between what kind of and what kinds of. If the subject is plural, use what kinds of.

Everyday Usage Examples

To solidify your understanding, let’s go through a few everyday examples where you might ask either what kind of or what kinds of.

What Kind of Questions:

1. What kind of car do you drive?
   (You’re asking about a specific type of car.)
2. What kind of music do you prefer?
   (You’re inquiring about a single genre of music.)
3. What kind of book are you reading?
   (You want to know the specific genre or category of book.)

What Kinds of Questions:

1. What kinds of flowers do you like?
   (You’re asking about multiple types of flowers.)
2. What kinds of movies do you enjoy?
   (You’re interested in several types of movies, like action, drama, and comedy.)
3. What kinds of hobbies do you have?
   (You’re asking about multiple types of hobbies, such as painting, hiking, or reading.)

By examining these examples, you can see the importance of contextual understanding. The plural forms what kinds of are used when you expect more than one answer.

Key Differences Between What Kind of vs What Kinds of

The key point in understanding the difference between what kind of vs what kinds of lies in the singular vs. plural distinction. Here are some helpful tips:

• What kind of refers to one specific thing or type. It’s typically used when the noun is singular or when you’re asking about a specific category within a larger group.
• What kinds of refers to more than one type or category. Use it when the noun is plural, or when you’re referring to multiple types of something.

Common Misunderstandings and Mistakes

A frequent mistake that many people make is using what kinds of when the subject is singular or using what kind of with plural nouns. For example:

• Incorrect: What kinds of cake is this?
  Correct: What kind of cake is this? (Cake is singular here.)
• Incorrect: What kind of books do you read?
  Correct: What kinds of books do you read? (Books are plural, so “kinds” is correct.)

These common grammar mistakes can disrupt your language fluency and may lead to misunderstandings. Keeping the singular/plural distinction in mind will help you ask context-based and precise questions.

What kind og

It seems like a typo, as “og” is not a correct word or abbreviation in English. If you meant to write “What kind of,” it’s the proper phrase for asking about a singular type or category of something. For example, “What kind of music do you like?” is asking about a specific type of music. Always ensure to use “kind of” instead of “og” for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

What kind od

Similar to “og,” “What kind od” appears to be a typographical error. The correct phrase would be “What kind of,” which is used when you want to inquire about a specific category or type of something singular. For example, “What kind of food do you enjoy?” makes the question clear and grammatically correct, referring to one type of food. Be cautious of typos like “od” and double-check your writing.

What kind fo

It looks like “What kind fo” is another typing mistake, where “fo” should be “of.” The accurate phrase is “What kind of,” which is used to ask about a single category or type, such as “What kind of car do you drive?” Always ensure that the word “of” is correctly typed to maintain grammatical integrity and clarity. These kinds of mistakes can confuse readers, so checking your spelling is key.

Conclusion

The difference between what kind of vs what kinds of is rooted in their usage with singular or plural nouns. What kind of refers to one specific type or category, while what kinds of refers to multiple types or categories.

Remember these tips:

• Use what kind of when referring to one specific item, category, or type.
• Use what kinds of when talking about multiple items, categories, or types.

With this understanding, you’ll be able to ask more contextually accurate questions, enhancing your communication skills and grammar proficiency. Whether you’re asking about a specific genre of music, a type of food, or even multiple categories of books, the correct usage of these expressions will ensure clarity in your speech and writing.

Now, you’re ready to confidently distinguish between what kind of vs what kinds of in any context, avoiding common grammar mistakes and enhancing your language proficiency. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be using these phrases with ease!

FAQs

Is it correct to say kinds?
Yes, “kinds” is correct when referring to multiple types or categories of something. It is used with plural nouns.

How do you use kinds of?
You use “kinds of” when talking about several types within a category, typically with plural nouns like “books” or “foods.”

What kind of food or what kinds of food?
Use “What kind of food?” when asking about a specific type, and “What kinds of food?” when referring to multiple types or varieties.

What is the plural form of kind?
The plural form of “kind” is “kinds,” used to refer to different types or categories of something.