what kind of

USAGE SUMMARY

"what kind of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to ask someone to make a specific distinction between two or more things. For example, "What kind of car do you drive?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What kind of spirits?

Independent

What kind of cheating?

Independent

What kind of director?

The New York Times

What kind of action?

The New York Times

What kind of movies?

The New York Times

What kind of threat?

The New Yorker

What kind of poetry?

The New Yorker

What kind of tree?

The New York Times

What kind of dirt?

The New York Times

What kind of thoughts?

Independent

What kind of attitude?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what kind of" to prompt clarification or categorization when the initial statement is too broad. For example, instead of saying 'I like fruit', ask 'what kind of fruit do you like?' to get more specific information.

Common error

Avoid using "what kind of" when a simpler question suffices. Instead of "What kind of music do you listen to?", you could simply ask "What music do you listen to?" if the general context is already established.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "what kind of" is as an interrogative determiner used to specify or categorize a noun. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it seeks to clarify the specific nature or type of something being discussed. It prompts a response that narrows down a broader topic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

23%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what kind of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to seek clarification or specification. As supported by Ludwig's examples, it is commonly employed in diverse contexts, ranging from news articles to everyday conversations. While generally neutral in register, it's important to avoid overuse in situations where simpler questions would suffice. Considering alternatives like "what type of" or "what sort of" can add variety to your writing, depending on the desired level of formality. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is completely correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what type of

Replaces 'kind' with 'type', maintaining identical meaning and function.

what sort of

Substitutes 'kind' with 'sort', resulting in a phrase with nearly identical semantic value.

which kind of

Adds 'which' for a slightly more specific inquiry, but maintains the same core question.

what category of

Replaces 'kind' with 'category', shifting the focus slightly towards formal classification.

what variety of

Uses 'variety' instead of 'kind', suggesting a focus on different forms within a group.

in what way

Alters the structure to inquire about the manner or method, rather than the specific type.

what manner of

Uses 'manner' instead of 'kind', shifting the focus to the way something is done or its nature.

what species of

Focuses specifically on biological or taxonomic classification.

specify the type of

Turns the phrase into a command, requesting the specification of a type.

describe the nature of

Inquires about the inherent characteristics or qualities of something.

FAQs

How can I use "what kind of" in a sentence?

Use "what kind of" to ask for specification or categorization. For example, "What kind of books do you enjoy reading?" or "What kind of problems are you facing?"

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

The phrases "what kind of" and "what type of" are largely interchangeable. Both are used to inquire about the specific category or nature of something.

What can I say instead of "what kind of" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "specify the type of" or "describe the nature of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "what kind of"?

While grammatically correct, overuse of "what kind of" can sometimes make your writing sound less concise. In some cases, a simpler question may be more effective, such as "What music do you like?" instead of "What kind of music do you like?"