a kind of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a kind of which" is not correct and does not sound natural in written English.
It is not typically used in standard English, and its meaning may be unclear without additional context. Example: "He described a kind of which I had never heard before."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

So it's a kind of "which came first" question.

The New York Times

His influence was vast, though rarely of a kind of which he would have approved.

The Guardian - Books

Aside from the jaw-dropping single, Pass That Dutch, and the thought provoking Toys - a kind of Which?

The Guardian - Music

Or are you doing a kind of which you can do comparatively little?

Forbes

Brewer says that illusions are to be accounted for in terms of visually relevant similarities to paradigms of a kind of which the perceived object is not an instance.

SEP

According to Brewer, such illusions are simply cases in which the direct object of experience has visually relevant similarities with paradigms of a kind of which it is not in fact an instance.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Cold spraying was used to build up coatings of ordered Fe40Al intermetallics, which are a kind of alloys which are being proposed for high temperature applications.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Our possessions are extensions of our own personalities, which serve as a "kind of mirror which reflects our own image".

The Economist

Our conceptual space, for instance, appears to be hierarchically ordered (poodles are a kind of dog, which are a kind of quadruped, which are a kind of animal, etc).. Similarly, the planning and execution of non-linguistic actions seems often to involve the sequencing and combining of smaller behavioral units into larger wholes.

SEP

This is a kind of CDS which fits the clinician's mental model as positive, which is being provided by vendors, and which is successful.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

I feel a kind of loss, which is her absolute sense of knowing the ground on which she stands".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "a kind of which" with more common and grammatically accepted alternatives like "a type of which" or restructuring the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a kind of which" in formal writing. Simpler phrasing often improves clarity and avoids potential grammatical ambiguity. Instead of saying "a kind of which", consider rephrasing to "a type that" or "a sort that" for smoother readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a kind of which" functions as a qualifier, attempting to specify a particular subset within a broader category. However, according to Ludwig AI, its usage is questionable and less preferable compared to its alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a kind of which" is an infrequent and grammatically questionable construction used to categorize or classify items. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's not typically used in standard English and can sound awkward. While it appears in neutral to formal sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and scientific publications, clearer alternatives like "a type of" or rephrasing the sentence are generally recommended. Its primary function is to qualify a subset within a larger group, but its usage should be approached with caution due to potential ambiguity and the availability of more common and accepted alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a type of which

Replaces "kind" with "type", providing a slightly more formal synonym while maintaining the same grammatical structure.

a sort of which

Substitutes "kind" with "sort", offering a similar level of formality and interchangeability.

a variety of which

Uses "variety" instead of "kind", emphasizing diversity within the category being discussed.

a form of which

Replaces "kind" with "form", focusing on the structure or appearance of the subject.

a manner of which

Substitutes "kind" with "manner", highlighting the way something is done or its style.

a class of which

Uses "class" instead of "kind", categorizing the subject into a broader classification.

a category of which

Replaces "kind" with "category", explicitly referring to the group the subject belongs to.

a species of which

Substitutes "kind" with "species", which is more appropriate when referring to living things.

a version of which

Replaces "kind" with "version", typically used when dealing with variations or iterations of something.

one such that

Restructures the phrase to avoid "kind of which" entirely, offering a more concise alternative to express a specific instance.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "a kind of which"?

You can use alternatives like "a type of", "a sort of", or rephrase the sentence for better clarity.

Is "a kind of which" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "a kind of which" is less common and can sound awkward. It's often better to opt for clearer alternatives.

How can I use "a kind of which" in a sentence?

While possible, it's recommended to rephrase sentences using alternatives for better flow. For example, instead of "This is a kind of problem which requires attention", try "This is a type of problem that requires attention".

What's the difference between "a kind of which" and "a type of which"?

The difference is minimal, but "a type of" is generally preferred for its clearer and more common usage.