what type of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'what type of' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is commonly used to introduce a question asking for the type of something. For example: What type of vehicle do you drive?.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What type of tape?

The New York Times

What type of risk?

The New York Times - Sports

What type of person?

The New York Times

What type of criminals?

The New York Times

What type of fabric?

The New York Times

What type of distribution?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What Type of Person?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What type of grain?

Harvard University

QUESTION FROM ALEX: What type of beer?

The New Yorker

What type of residency?

Science Magazine

What type of things?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what type of" in formal writing, ensure the noun following "of" is singular and countable (e.g., "What type of car do you drive?").

Common error

Avoid using "what type of" excessively in highly formal writing where more precise or sophisticated language may be preferred. Consider alternatives like "which kind of" or specifying the characteristics directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what type of" functions as an interrogative determiner used to specify a request for information about the category, nature, or variety of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used to introduce a question. It helps to classify or categorize the subject in question, as seen in examples like "What type of fabric?" or "What type of beer?"

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

36%

News & Media

23%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what type of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to inquire about the category or nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. While it's suitable for both formal and informal communication, it's advisable to consider more sophisticated language in highly formal writing. The phrase is frequently found in Wiki articles, News & Media, and Academia sources. Remember to use alternatives like "what kind of" or "which type of" to diversify your writing and avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what kind of

A very close synonym, nearly interchangeable with "what type of".

what sort of

Similar to "what type of", but slightly more informal.

which kind of

Specifies a selection from a set of known types.

which type of

Very close in meaning, implies a selection from predefined types.

what variety of

Focuses on the diversity within a category.

what form of

Emphasizes the structure or arrangement.

what manner of

More formal and emphasizes the way something is done or happens.

what class of

Implies a more formal or scientific categorization.

in what category

Directly asks for the category something belongs to.

what designation of

Emphasizes the official or formal naming of something.

FAQs

How to use "what type of" in a sentence?

"What type of" is used to ask about the category or kind of something. For example, "What type of music do you enjoy?" or "What type of car do you drive?"

What can I say instead of "what type of"?

You can use alternatives like "what kind of", "what sort of", or "which kind of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "what type of" or "what types of"?

"What type of" is generally used with a singular noun to inquire about a general category (e.g., "What type of car is that?"). "What types of" is used with a plural noun when asking about different varieties within a category (e.g., "What types of cars do they sell?").

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

The phrases "what type of" and "what kind of" are very similar and often interchangeable. "What type of" might be preferred in more technical contexts, but the distinction is subtle.