in what kind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in what kind" is not standard in written English and may be confusing without context.
It can be used when asking for clarification about the type or category of something, but it is more common to use "of what kind" instead. Example: "In what kind of environment do you feel most productive?"

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The interest now is in what kind of senator he will be.

The New York Times

Or the tyrannical art critic in "What Kind of Day Did You Have?", who "wore his pants negligently".

The Guardian - Books

In this paper, we are interested in what kind of confluence the integrability of W + or W − brings to the weak solution ( u, b ) of the system (1).

Boundary Value Problems

"The city is limited in what kind of incentives we can offer," Landry said.

Los Angeles Times

But they are interested and intrigued in what kind of techniques we're trying to employ".

Huffington Post

They need to read and figure out in what kind of relationship THEY want to be.

Huffington Post

We were interested in what kind of impact scarcity has and how this experience affects physicians' work satisfaction (Table 5).

BMC Health Services Research

There are striking differences among cultures in what kind of food is viewed as pleasurable.

The New York Times - Food

In what kind of mood would a woman be, wearing whatever?

The New York Times

In what kind of community do you hope to live for the next four years?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

-In what kind of neighborhood is the art fair located?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in what kind", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. The phrase is best used when directly inquiring about the nature or type of something.

Common error

Avoid using "in what kind" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically sound, it can sound less refined than alternatives like "of what type" or "what sort of", potentially diminishing the impact of your message in professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in what kind" functions as an interrogative phrase used to seek clarification about the category, type, or nature of something. It's a way of asking for more specific information about a characteristic or attribute. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in what kind" serves to inquire about the nature or type of something. While grammatically acceptable, it is considered less formal than alternatives like "of what kind" and "what type of". Ludwig examples show its wide usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing, although it may be wise to lean towards more sophisticated phrasing for formal correspondence. According to Ludwig, while it's not incorrect, careful consideration should be given to the context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what type of

Replaces "kind" with "type", emphasizing the category or classification.

what sort of

Uses "sort" instead of "kind", offering a slightly more informal tone.

of what nature

More formal alternative using "nature" to inquire about the essential characteristics.

what manner of

A more archaic and formal way to ask about the type or quality.

what species of

Specifically asks about the species or variety, often used in scientific contexts.

what form of

Focuses on the shape, structure, or arrangement of something.

what variety of

Emphasizes the diversity or range within a category.

what classification of

Highlights the system or method of categorizing something.

what category of

Directly asks about the group or class to which something belongs.

under what classification

Focuses on the system under which something is classified

FAQs

How can I use "in what kind" in a sentence?

You can use "in what kind" to inquire about the nature or type of something, as in "In what kind of environment do you feel most productive?"

Is "in what kind" grammatically correct?

Yes, "in what kind" is grammatically acceptable, although some may find alternatives like "what kind of" or "of what kind" more polished, especially in formal writing.

When should I use "in what kind" versus "what kind of"?

While both are understandable, "what kind of" is generally more common and might be preferred in many situations. "In what kind" can be used for emphasis, but overuse might sound awkward.

What are some alternatives to "in what kind"?

Alternatives include "of what type", "what sort of", or "of what nature", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.