of a type

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of a type" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify a category or classification of something. Example: "The device is of a type that is commonly used in industrial applications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Georgia's problems were of a type.

The New York Times

The name of a type of beet was also misspelled.

The New York Times

They have also been more of a type.

The New York Times

It might not be of a type admissible in court.

The Guardian - Opinion

These two million - are they all of a type?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Marot's suspicions were of a type.

The New York Times

They were consistently of a type: sleek, aggressive, challenging.

The New York Times

They're of a type: young, married and very poor.

The New York Times

The article also misspelled the name of a type of Irish drum.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a curious transformation of a type of music that normally doesn't go very deep.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

b Isolation of a-type yeast cells using G418 selection.

AMB Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of a type" to categorize or classify something, providing context and clarity to your writing. For instance, instead of simply stating "The car is fast", specify "The car is of a type known for its speed."

Common error

Avoid using "of a type" to make overly general or vague classifications. Instead of saying "The problem is of a type that's difficult to solve", provide more specific details about the nature of the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of a type" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It indicates the categorization or classification of something, as shown by Ludwig's examples, and specifies the characteristics or attributes that define a particular group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of a type" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to categorize and classify nouns or pronouns. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "of a kind" or "belonging to a category" exist, "of a type" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various writing styles. Remember to use it to provide clear and specific classifications, avoiding vague or overly general statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of a kind

Replaces "type" with "kind", emphasizing the nature or variety of something.

of a sort

Substitutes "type" with "sort", indicating a category with less precision.

of a variety

Emphasizes the diversity within a category.

belonging to a category

Replaces the phrase with a more explicit description of categorization.

characteristic of a class

Highlights the attributes that define a particular classification.

typical of a form

Indicates that something is representative of a particular shape or structure.

in the nature of

Focuses on the inherent qualities that define a type.

in the manner of

Highlights how something is done according to a type.

akin to a genre

Links something to a genre, implying similarity in style or content.

in line with a model

Implies adherence to a specific model or pattern.

FAQs

How can I use "of a type" in a sentence?

You can use "of a type" to classify or categorize something. For example, "This software is "of a type" used for data analysis" or "The sculpture is "of a type" found in ancient ruins."

What are some alternatives to saying "of a type"?

Alternatives include "of a kind", "of a sort", or "belonging to a category". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is it better to use "of a type" or "of type"?

The correct phrase is "of a type". Omitting the article "a" makes the phrase grammatically incorrect. For example, you should say "This is "of a type" that is rarely seen" not "This is of type that is rarely seen".

How formal is the phrase "of a type"?

The phrase "of a type" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts without sounding out of place. However, alternatives like "characteristic of a class" might be more suitable for highly formal writing.