kind of clutter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of clutter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a type or category of disorganization or messiness in a space or situation. Example: "After the party, there was a kind of clutter in the living room that made it hard to find the remote."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But I always liked that kind of clutter.

The New Yorker

How could you reduce this kind of clutter?

The New York Times

My husband knows how much I loathe this kind of clutter.

The New York Times

Then again, the effort to help shoppers separate the retail wheat from the chaff will soon be kicking up its own kind of clutter.

The New York Times

The books and magazines create their own kind of clutter, and a carelessly flapping coat sends them from a perch on the car seat into the winter puddles on the car floor.

The New York Times

In such cases, detection of weak target signal in presence of strong clutter from wall is difficult and will require use of some kind of clutter reduction method.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"If you start worrying about that stuff, it just kind of clutters your mind". Hawaii, the weakest "non-AQ" to play in a BCS game, debuted at No. 18 in the first BCS standings of 2007 and clawed its way to No. 10 over the din of doubters by closing with impressive regular-season wins against Nevada, Boise State and Washington.

Los Angeles Times

Like Franklin, Rubin is a good-natured, intelligent, privileged person, and she's frank about the privilege; she resolves to set limits on buying treats for her kids, she resolves to rid herself of the seven kinds of clutter she has accumulated and goes right to the Container Store to do so.

The New York Times - Books

In this case, an approach to reduce ground clutter is proposed in [9], where a simple parametric model is used, what limits its application to other kinds of clutter, such as sea clutter.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

"I am kind of a clutter bug," she said.

The New York Times

Dion is an owlish man with an Encyclopedia Brown air about him, who lives in an apartment in Washington Heights with his wife, their dog and a kind of controlled clutter of books, knickknacks, souvenirs and the like.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "kind of clutter", consider specifying the type of clutter you're describing to provide more clarity and context. For example, "a 'kind of clutter' related to old paperwork" or "a 'kind of clutter' that accumulates in garages".

Common error

Avoid using "kind of clutter" excessively in your writing as a vague qualifier. Overusing "kind of" can weaken your message. Instead, aim for more precise descriptions or use stronger verbs to convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of clutter" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "kind of" acts as a qualifier specifying a particular variety or type of clutter. It’s used to categorize or describe a specific instance of mess or disorganization. Ludwig confirms the usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kind of clutter" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, serving to describe a specific variety or type of mess. Ludwig confirms its usability, and our analysis indicates it is most frequently found in News & Media. While versatile, being precise about the clutter's nature enhances clarity. Consider alternatives like "sort of mess" or "type of disarray" depending on the context, but avoid overusing "kind of" as a filler. The phrase has a neutral register making it suitable for various writing styles, although specifying the nature of the mess after "kind of clutter" is highly recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sort of mess

Replaces "clutter" with the more general term "mess", indicating a less specific type of disorder. It's slightly less formal.

type of disarray

Substitutes "clutter" with "disarray", implying a more chaotic or disorganized state. It's a bit more formal.

form of disorder

Uses "disorder" instead of "clutter", suggesting a broader lack of order. It sounds slightly more clinical.

degree of untidiness

Replaces "clutter" with "untidiness", focusing on the lack of neatness. It's more descriptive.

level of messiness

Substitutes "clutter" with "messiness", highlighting the state of being messy. It's a common and straightforward alternative.

brand of chaos

Employs "chaos" instead of "clutter", suggesting a more extreme lack of order. It's more dramatic.

variety of jumble

Uses "jumble" instead of "clutter", implying a confused mixture of things. It sounds more informal.

species of muddle

Replaces "clutter" with "muddle", suggesting a confused or disorganized state. It has a slightly old-fashioned feel.

strain of disorganization

Substitutes "clutter" with "disorganization", focusing on the lack of structured arrangement. It's more formal and analytical.

manner of litter

Employs "litter" instead of "clutter", suggesting scattered rubbish or debris. It emphasizes the unwanted and unsightly nature of the mess.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "This is a kind of clutter I can't stand"?

You could try alternatives like "This "type of mess" is unbearable", "I can't stand this "sort of disorder"" or "I find this "level of untidiness" appalling."

Is it correct to say "It's a kind of clutter" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "kind of clutter" might be perceived as informal in certain contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "a specific "form of disorganization"" or "a particular "type of mess"" to enhance clarity and professionalism.

What's the difference between "kind of clutter" and "sort of clutter"?

"Kind of clutter" and "sort of clutter" are largely interchangeable, both indicating a certain type or degree of disarray. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or regional dialect, with neither being inherently more correct. However, "sort of clutter" tends to be perceived as slightly more informal.

How to avoid vagueness when using the phrase "kind of clutter"?

To avoid vagueness, follow "kind of clutter" with a specific description. For instance, instead of just saying "It's a kind of clutter", specify "It's a 'kind of clutter' caused by accumulated paperwork" or "It's a 'kind of clutter' common in children's playrooms". Adding details makes your meaning clearer.