from what kind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from what kind" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to inquire about the type or category of something, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "I am curious from what kind of materials this sculpture is made."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

From what kind of stuff?

The New Yorker

From what kind of messiah did she learn that?

The New York Times

When, in 1824, an assortment of fossilised bones and teeth discovered in the depths of various Oxfordshire quarries were assembled in one place, it was not immediately apparent from what kind of animal they had come.

The Guardian - Books

When we look back in history, it is obvious from what kind of life forms we evolved.

Vice

Today is the last day of June, which means that for the past month, millions of newly minted graduates and freshly wed couples have been taken aside by well-meaning, finger-wagging relatives and friends and given a slew of advice, ranging from what kind of a meal should start their day to what percent of their incomes to sock away if they want to be millionaires by the age of 40.

Huffington Post

In our revised paper we explicitly point out these results and also indicate which results were derived from what kind of pooled data in the figure legends.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

And the providers have become so big and powerful that they shape much about how the system operates, from what kinds of care are emphasized to how much they will be paid for it.

The New York Times

Longer, more intense droughts for farmers affect everything from what kinds of crops or animals they can raise to the yield they get from their fields.

Huffington Post

QUESTION FROM GUEST: So what kind of specific reforms do you have in mind to avoid another financial crisis?

The New Yorker

Such a policy would start from asking what kind of behaviour could be enforced, rather than, like Kyoto, incorporating enforcement as an afterthought.

The Economist

Q: So where is all the vaccine coming from, and what kind of vaccine is it?

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use more direct and grammatically sound alternatives such as "what kind of" or "what type of" to improve clarity and avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using the preposition "from" before "what kind", as it is generally grammatically incorrect. Prefer direct questions like "What kind of X is Y?" instead of "From what kind of X is Y derived?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from what kind" functions as an interrogative phrase, though its usage is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It attempts to inquire about the type or category of something, but the addition of "from" is typically unnecessary and deviates from standard English phrasing. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "is not correct".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "from what kind" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and non-standard English. While it appears across various sources, including news, science, and wiki articles, its awkward phrasing often leads to confusion. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect. It attempts to inquire about the type or category of something, but the inclusion of "from" is unnecessary and deviates from conventional English. For improved clarity and correctness, it's best to use alternatives like "what kind of", "what type of", or "what sort of". Be mindful of this distinction to ensure clear and grammatically sound communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what type of

Focuses on the 'type' instead of the source or origin.

what sort of

Uses 'sort' as a synonym for 'kind', offering a more direct substitution.

of what variety

Replaces 'kind' with 'variety', emphasizing the range of options.

from which category

Shifts the focus to the classification or group from which something originates.

from which origin

Highlights the source or beginning of something.

what is the nature of

Inquires about the fundamental characteristics or essence.

what is the character of

Focuses on specific traits or qualities.

what's the makeup of

Emphasizes the constituents or components of something.

what is the constitution of

Asks about the structural or organizational composition.

what are the properties of

Asks about the defining qualities of something

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase "what kind of"?

Use "what kind of" to inquire about the type, nature, or category of something. For example, "What kind of music do you like?" is correct. Avoid adding "from" before, as in from what kind of.

What are some alternatives to "what kind of"?

Alternatives include "what type of", "what sort of", or "of what variety". Each option offers a slightly different nuance while maintaining a similar core meaning.

Is "from what kind of" grammatically correct?

No, "from what kind of" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It is better to use simply "what kind of" to ask about the nature or type of something.

In what contexts might I encounter "from what kind," and why is it potentially confusing?

While occasionally found in informal or non-standard English, "from what kind" can be confusing because it awkwardly combines the idea of source ("from") with the concept of type or category ("what kind"). Stick to the clearer "what kind of".