kind of kind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of kind" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used informally to describe a type or category of kindness, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "She has a kind of kind that makes everyone feel welcome."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

(Kind of? Kind of? But oops, here comes that press agent to introduce us to Kathy and Rick Hilton).

The New York Times

"Gomez caught me kind of kind of jackknifed a little bit and I gave up a bad rebound and they made me pay," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Referring to opposing pitchers, O'Neill added: "It gets kind of kind of monotonous saying, 'He pitched a good game.' It's about time we hit the ball".

The New York Times - Sports

She was taken aback when told that Woods said she is a better golfer than he was at 15. "It's awesome to have people like him saying those kind of kind words," Ko said.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Tolbert spoke of a new kind of kind of unity Mr. Obama would bring to the country, tearing down racial barriers that had defined the notion of diversity strictly in terms of black and white.

The New York Times

With insurers blaming drug makers for high prices and drug makers blaming insurers for scanty coverage, the two association chiefs have a kind of kind of trust-but-verify relationship.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"That's kind of kind-of vegetarian," he said.

The New Yorker

The crowd was mostly made up of Antipodeans who work in non-financial jobs in the city and your standard shiny, happy London tweeters – y'know, the kind of kind-hearted people who volunteer at city farms, get excited about flash mobs and wear festive hats in public at Christmas (there's a novelty reindeer one in the background there, if you look close enough).

Vice

The elderly woman said she had followed me for years and those kinds of kind gestures are a new thing.

The Guardian

The standard model in quantum physics reveals many kinds of fundamental particles (electron, tau neutrino, charm quark), plus broader categories such as kinds of kind (lepton, quark) and higher kinds (fermion, boson).

SEP

From among the various kinds of kinds of central modulation of pain perception, one possibility is distraction.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you intend to use this phrase, confirm if doubling adds emphasis to the meaning.

Common error

Relying too heavily on "kind of kind" can make your writing sound informal or repetitive. Diversify your language by incorporating synonyms or alternative sentence structures to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of kind" primarily functions as an intensifier or emphatic modifier. It aims to underscore or emphasize a particular quality or characteristic, though its usage is often seen as informal and potentially redundant. Examples from Ludwig show its application in describing nuanced states or qualities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kind of kind" presents a unique challenge in writing. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is generally considered grammatically questionable and functions as an intensifier in informal contexts. While sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker occasionally feature its use, it's crucial to exercise caution in formal writing. Opting for alternatives such as "sort of kind" or rephrasing for clarity can enhance the precision and professionalism of your message. Understanding the specific context and intended emphasis is key to determining whether "kind of kind" is appropriate or if a more standard alternative would serve better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sort of kind

Replaces "kind" with "sort", offering a slightly different nuance while maintaining a similar level of approximation.

somewhat kind

Substitutes "kind" with "somewhat", emphasizing a degree of kindness that is not absolute.

a type of kindness

Rephrases to specify a particular category or form of kindness.

a manner of kindness

Focuses on the style or way in which kindness is expressed.

a form of kindness

Highlights the specific manifestation or variety of kindness being discussed.

a brand of kindness

Implies a unique or distinctive quality of kindness.

a flavor of kindness

Uses a metaphorical term to describe a distinctive or nuanced aspect of kindness.

a semblance of kindness

Indicates an outward appearance or imitation of kindness, possibly lacking sincerity.

an element of kindness

Refers to a component or aspect of kindness present in a situation or action.

a shade of kindness

Suggests a subtle or delicate form of kindness, possibly with reservations.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "kind of kind"?

The phrase "kind of kind" is mostly used in informal contexts to express a nuanced or emphatic version of "kind of". However, in formal writing, it's better to use more precise and grammatically standard alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "kind of kind" that I can use in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can use phrases like "a type of kindness", "a form of kindness", or rephrase your sentence for better clarity.

Is "kind of kind" grammatically correct?

While not strictly grammatically incorrect, "kind of kind" is often considered redundant and informal. Its acceptability depends heavily on context and intended emphasis.

How can I avoid sounding repetitive when using phrases like "kind of"?

To avoid repetition, try using synonyms such as "somewhat", "rather", or "slightly". Also, consider restructuring your sentences to use more varied language.