kind of things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a category or type of items, situations, or concepts in a general sense. Example: "I enjoy reading about all kinds of things, from science to history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All kind of things".

The New Yorker

"Unfortunately, these kind of things happen.

Independent

What kind of things is Evernote building?

The Guardian - Tech

"What kind of things?" Taussig asked.

The New Yorker

Like Nvidia kind of things.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

TA: What kind of things?

The Guardian - Books

Like what kind of things?

The New York Times - Arts

Those kind of things don't happen overnight.

The New York Times - Sports

What kind of things went wrong?

Yale University

Those kind of things are adjustments.

The Guardian - Sport

People need those kind of things".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of things" when referring to a general category or type of items without needing to be overly specific. This works well in conversational and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "kind of things" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language is expected. Opt for terms like "types", "categories", or specific classifications instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of things" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a general referent to a category or assortment of items, concepts, or activities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kind of things" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to refer to a general category or assortment of items. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile and appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While acceptable in most situations, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "types of things" or "categories of things" in formal writing. Remember to avoid overuse and aim for more specific language when precision is required. With the provided examples and guidance, you can confidently and effectively use "kind of things" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

types of things

Replaces "kind" with "types", offering a direct synonym with no significant change in meaning.

sorts of things

Substitutes "kind" with "sorts", another synonym that maintains the original sense of category.

variety of things

Emphasizes the diversity within the category, implying a range of different items.

categories of things

Replaces "kind" with the more formal "categories", increasing the level of formality slightly.

classes of things

Uses "classes" to specify groupings, suitable for contexts requiring more precision.

forms of things

Indicates particular shapes or manifestations something can take.

aspects of things

Focuses on particular features or parts instead of whole items.

examples of things

Highlights particular instances that represent a more general category.

items of that nature

Replaces the initial phrase with a formal expression, distancing the speaker from direct reference.

things of that nature

Similar to "items of that nature", but slightly less formal.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "kind of things"?

You can use alternatives like "types of things", "sorts of things", or "variety of things" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "kind of things" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "kind of things" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. For formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "categories of things" or "classes of things".

How can I make my writing sound more specific instead of using "kind of things"?

Instead of saying "kind of things", try to list specific examples or use a more descriptive term that accurately reflects the items you are referring to. For instance, replace "I like all kind of things" with "I enjoy various activities, such as hiking, reading, and painting".

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

Both phrases are very similar and often interchangeable. "Kind of things" and "type of things" have essentially the same meaning, but "type of things" might be perceived as slightly more formal by some.