only kind of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only kind of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is somewhat true or partially applicable, but not entirely so. Example: "I’m only kind of interested in going to the party tonight, depending on how I feel later."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The only kind of 9/12 protest I'd like to see is one promoting the care for rescue workers now suffering from lung illnesses.

Huffington Post

This is the only kind, of the 300 kinds of parrots, that builds nests.

The New York Times

"An Autolib' car is pretty much the only kind of car most 18-year-olds can actually drive in Paris.

The Guardian

In this section, we'll consider some possible understandings of the thesis that instrumental rationality is the only kind of practical rationality (§4.1), and whether some version of this thesis is given any support by an instrumental analogue of Lewis Carroll's famous paradox concerning modus ponens (§4.2).

SEP

When the copy numbers were higher than 100,000, only 4 kinds of miRNA were represented (miR-71, miR-277b, miR-71c and miR-215).

BMC Genomics

But for 300 years, the only kinds of stable orbits known for groups of three or more stars have been minor variations on established themes.

Science Magazine

Fewer than half the centers that hire welfare recipients offer on-site training, and only 1 in 5 offers the kind of college-credit training required for the better-paying child care jobs.

The New York Times

Seventy-eight kinds of miRNAs had reads of between 1,000 and 10, 000, while there were only 30 kinds of miRNA with copy numbers between 10,000 and 100,000.

BMC Genomics

Some serotypes may be more species-specific; 24 of the 51 isolated serotypes were isolated from only 1 kind of reptile (turtle, snake, or lizard).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Of the 244 trial summaries, 72 (29.5%) listed no publication of any kind, 30 (12.3%) listed only one or more of the excluded publication types and 142 (58.2%) listed at least one associated stand-alone journal article (see figure 1).

BMJ Open

In each target composition, [Term] = 0. "Natural": the library with the natural abundance (the average composition in 207 natural proteins) [18]; "No Cys": the library with uniform composition except [Cys] = 0; "c-Fos e', g'-": a c-Fos mutant library containing only 4 kinds of amino acid as same as in Ref.[26].[26]

BMC Biotechnology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only kind of" to clearly limit the scope of what you're describing. For example, "This is the "only kind of" support we can offer."

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple instances of "only kind of" in a single sentence as this can make the writing sound repetitive and convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only kind of" functions as a restrictive modifier. It specifies that what is being discussed is limited to a particular type or variety. Based on Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and generally acceptable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only kind of" serves as a restrictive modifier, limiting the scope to a specific type or variety. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general acceptability. While versatile, more precise alternatives like "sole type of" or "unique sort of" may be preferable in formal contexts. Its usage is generally neutral, fitting for news, media, and everyday conversation, and overuse should be avoided to maintain clarity and conciseness. Without specific example sentences, determining its precise distribution across different source types remains impossible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sole type of

Emphasizes exclusivity in a formal tone.

unique sort of

Highlights the distinctiveness of a particular variety.

exclusive form of

Indicates something is not shared with others.

single variety of

Stresses the limitation to just one form.

particular type of

Focuses on a specific kind, excluding others.

special class of

Suggests a specific categorization with some relevance.

limited category of

Emphasizes a narrow scope or range.

specific genre of

Applies mainly to artistic or cultural contexts.

distinct manner of

Highlights a particular way of doing something.

certain style of

Implies a preference for a particular aesthetic.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "only kind of" to emphasize uniqueness?

To stress uniqueness, you might use phrases like "sole type of" or "unique sort of", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "only kind of" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "only kind of" is generally suitable for neutral to informal contexts. For formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "exclusive form of" or "single variety of".

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

"Only kind of" suggests a strict limitation to one specific type, whereas "particular type of" implies a focus on one type but doesn't necessarily exclude others entirely.

Can "only kind of" be used with uncountable nouns?

Yes, "only kind of" can be used with uncountable nouns. For example: "This is the "only kind of" information I have available".