what kind of situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what kind of situation" is a correct and usable phrase in English.
You can use this phrase to ask someone about the specifics or details of a particular situation. For example, you could ask: "What kind of situation did you encounter that led you to make that decision?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

What kind of situation would this be?

The New York Times

"And others were quite oblivious to what kind of situation constituted an emergency".

The New York Times

"They understand what kind of situation they are going to face, what kind of responsibility they will take on their shoulders," Mr. Fetisov said.

The New York Times

He was alone, and it seemed suspicious, and of course we were in France, so you never know what kind of situation you might get into there".

The New York Times - Sports

What kind of situation has Rob got into when he bumps into a woman on the way to work?

BBC

I should be able to remain saner and therefore--hopefully--more in tune with what kind of situation is likely to work better than the current digs.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Guided observations in a thermal center and interviews in a public swimming pool with structured enquiries were made for this research which purpose was verify what do industry offers to ladies above fifty years old as swimsuits for indoor activities, what kind of situations of discomfort they experiment and what they would change in it, if it was possible.

Procedia Manufacturing

What has been the response and in what kind of situations are people most likely to seek advice from Textpert?

Huffington Post

Start by explaining why you want to wear tankinis and halters and in what kind of situations you do and don't think they are appropriate.

WikiHow

In what kinds of situations are you most effective?

Harvard Business Review

In what kinds of situations in business will the power of telling a purposeful story be most useful?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "what kind of situation", ensure the context provides enough information for the listener or reader to understand the type of situation you are inquiring about. Avoid ambiguity by adding clarifying details.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid overuse of "what kind of situation" in formal or academic writing. Consider more precise alternatives like "under what circumstances" or "in what context" to enhance clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what kind of situation" functions as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the nature or characteristics of a particular set of circumstances. Ludwig confirms its valid usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what kind of situation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used interrogative phrase that seeks clarification or details about a particular scenario. As supported by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, although it may be less suitable for highly formal writing. Consider using more precise alternatives like "under what circumstances" or "in what context" in such cases. While generally neutral in register, it's important to ensure enough context is provided to avoid ambiguity. The phrase is versatile and effective for everyday communication, as long as precision and formality aren't paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what sort of situation

Replaces "kind" with "sort", offering a slightly less formal synonym while maintaining identical meaning.

what type of situation

Substitutes "kind" with "type", providing a synonym with equivalent meaning and usage.

what form of situation

Replaces "kind" with "form", suggesting a specific arrangement or structure of the situation.

what manner of situation

Uses "manner" instead of "kind", implying a specific way or method the situation unfolds.

what specific situation

Adds "specific" to emphasize a particular or detailed nature of the situation.

what particular situation

Uses "particular" to highlight a specific and distinct instance of a situation.

what unique situation

Emphasizes the exceptional or rare nature of the situation.

under what circumstances

Shifts the focus to the conditions surrounding the situation, implying a cause-and-effect relationship.

in what scenario

Rephrases the query to focus on the hypothetical or projected sequence of events.

what circumstances are involved

Transforms the question to emphasize the conditions or factors affecting the situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what kind of situation" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "under what circumstances", "in what context", or "what specific scenario?" These options often provide greater precision and sophistication in professional or academic settings.

Is "what kind of situation" grammatically correct?

Yes, "what kind of situation" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity based on numerous real-world examples.

What are some situations where "what kind of situation" is appropriate?

"What kind of situation" is suitable for general inquiries about a scenario's nature. It works well in conversations, news reports, and when seeking clarification. However, avoid using it in extremely formal contexts, where more precise wording might be preferable.

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

The phrases "what kind of situation" and "what sort of situation" are nearly interchangeable. "Sort" is generally considered slightly less formal than "kind", but the difference is minimal and context-dependent.