If you have ever wondered if to say “What kind of” or “What kinds of,” you are not alone. Both expressions are correct, but they are used in different situations. The main difference is whether you are asking about one type/category or multiple types/categories.
Use “what kind of” when you are asking about one general type or category. For example, “What kind of music do you like?” Use “what kinds of” when you are asking about several different types or categories. For example, “What kinds of music are popular among young people?” Understanding this small grammar difference can make your English sound more natural and precise.
Quick Answer
“What kind of” usually asks about one type, category, or general class, while “what kinds of” asks about two or more types or categories. However, “what kind of” is also commonly used informally with plural nouns when the speaker is asking about a general category.
Why Do People Confuse “What Kind Of” and “What Kinds Of”?
The confusion comes from the fact that kind can be singular or plural.
- kind = one type or category
- kinds = multiple types or categories
The word following the expression also matters.
Compare:
- What kind of food do you like?
- What kinds of food do you like?
Both sentences can be grammatical, but they can communicate slightly different ideas.
The first often treats “food” as a broad category and asks what type the person prefers. The second emphasizes different varieties or categories of food.
First Word: “What Kind Of”
“What kind of” is singular and usually refers to one type, category, or general classification.
It is extremely common in everyday English.
Examples
- What kind of car do you drive?
- What kind of music do you enjoy?
- What kind of job are you looking for?
- What kind of book is this?
- What kind of person is he?
- What kind of coffee would you like?
Here, the speaker is asking for a type or category.
For example, someone might answer:
“What kind of music do you like?”
“I like jazz.”
The answer identifies one general category.
Second Word: “What Kinds Of”
“What kinds of” is plural and normally emphasizes multiple types, varieties, or categories.
Examples
- What kinds of books do you read?
- What kinds of animals live here?
- What kinds of problems can occur?
- What kinds of jobs are available?
- What kinds of food are served at the restaurant?
- What kinds of movies do you enjoy?
The expected answer may contain several categories.
For example:
“What kinds of books do you read?”
“I read novels, biographies, history books, and science books.”
The plural kinds makes the idea of multiple categories clearer.
What Is the Difference Between “What Kind Of” and “What Kinds Of”?
| Expression | Basic meaning | Typical use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| What kind of | What type/category | One general type or category | What kind of movie is this? |
| What kinds of | What types/categories | Several types or categories | What kinds of movies do you watch? |
The distinction is simple: kind focuses on a singular category, while kinds highlights multiple categories.
However, real English is flexible. Native speakers often use “what kind of” with plural nouns when “kind of” means something like “what type or sort of.”
When Should You Use Each?
Use “What Kind Of” for One Type
Choose “what kind of” when the question is about one general category.
Examples:
- What kind of phone do you have?
- What kind of teacher is she?
- What kind of weather do you prefer?
- What kind of exercise do you enjoy?
- What kind of computer do you need?
The answer normally identifies a type:
- A smartphone.
- A very patient teacher.
- Cold weather.
- Swimming.
- A laptop for work.
Use “What Kinds Of” for Multiple Types
Choose “what kinds of” when you want to emphasize several varieties.
Examples:
- What kinds of phones are available?
- What kinds of teachers work at the school?
- What kinds of weather can occur here?
- What kinds of exercise are good for beginners?
- What kinds of computers do businesses use?
The answers can include multiple categories.
10+ Examples of “What Kind Of” and “What Kinds Of”
1. Food
What kind of food do you like?
This can ask about a general preference, such as Italian, Chinese, spicy, or vegetarian food.
What kinds of food do you serve?
This suggests that several varieties are available.
2. Books
What kind of book are you reading?
The speaker wants to know the book’s general category.
What kinds of books do you usually read?
The question invites several categories, such as mystery, romance, history, and science fiction.
3. Music
What kind of music do you listen to?
A common way to ask about someone’s general musical preference.
What kinds of music are popular in your country?
This emphasizes different musical categories.
4. Jobs
What kind of job do you want?
The speaker asks about the type of job the person wants.
What kinds of jobs are available in this area?
The speaker expects information about several job categories.
5. Cars
What kind of car does she drive?
This asks for the type or model category of her car.
What kinds of cars are popular these days?
This asks about different categories or varieties of cars.
6. Movies
What kind of movie is this?
The answer might be “a comedy” or “a thriller.”
What kinds of movies do you enjoy?
The person might answer “comedies, dramas, and documentaries.”
7. Questions
What kind of question is that?
This asks about the category of one question.
What kinds of questions should I prepare for?
This asks about several categories of questions.
8. Animals
What kind of animal is that?
The speaker wants to identify the animal.
What kinds of animals live in this forest?
The speaker is asking about multiple species or categories.
9. Problems
What kind of problem are you having?
This asks about the nature or category of one problem.
What kinds of problems can this software solve?
This asks about several possible problem categories.
10. Clothes
What kind of clothes do you usually wear?
This asks about general clothing preferences.
What kinds of clothes are suitable for winter?
This asks about different clothing types.
11. People
What kind of person is your manager?
This asks about the manager’s personality or character.
What kinds of people enjoy this activity?
This asks about different groups or characteristics of people.
12. Experiences
What kind of experience was it?
This asks about the general nature of one experience.
What kinds of experiences can students have while traveling?
This asks about multiple types of experiences.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking “What Kinds Of” Is Always More Correct
It is not.
“What kind of” is perfectly correct when you are asking about a general type.
Correct:
What kind of music do you like?
You do not need to change it to “what kinds of music” simply because music can contain many genres.
Mistake 2: Using “Kinds” for One Specific Category
If you are clearly asking about one type, singular kind is usually better.
Less natural:
What kinds of car do you want?
Better:
What kind of car do you want?
Mistake 3: Forgetting the “Of”
The standard expressions are:
- What kind of…
- What kinds of…
For example:
What kind of food do you like?
Not:
What kind food do you like?
Mistake 4: Assuming Plural Nouns Always Require “Kinds”
A plural noun does not automatically require kinds.
For example:
What kind of movies do you like?
This is natural English. Here, “what kind of” asks about the general type of movies the person enjoys.
A Simple Memory Trick
Think of kind as one category and kinds as several categories.
ONE → kind
What kind of car?
MANY → kinds
What kinds of cars?
But remember that everyday English sometimes uses “what kind of” more broadly, especially when asking about a general category.
A useful shortcut is:
“What type?” → What kind of?
“What types?” → What kinds of?
American vs. British English
There is no major difference between American and British English regarding the basic distinction between “what kind of” and “what kinds of.”
Both varieties commonly use “what kind of” when asking about a general type.
For example:
- What kind of music do you like?
- What kind of car do you have?
- What kind of food do you prefer?
Both American and British speakers also use “what kinds of” when emphasizing multiple varieties.
The main difference is therefore not American versus British grammar. It is the meaning and emphasis of singular versus plural “kind.”
Similar Words and Expressions
Several expressions can replace “what kind of” or “what kinds of.”
What type of
This is slightly more formal or classification-focused.
What type of computer do you need?
What sort of
This is especially common in British English but is also understood elsewhere.
What sort of music do you enjoy?
What variety of
This is useful when talking about different varieties of a product, food, plant, or similar thing.
What variety of apples do you prefer?
Which type of
This is useful when the possible choices are more limited or already known.
Which type of payment do you prefer?
What category of
This is more formal and is common in technical, academic, or organizational contexts.
What category of expenses does this belong to?
Final Verdict
The difference between “what kind of” and “what kinds of” is mainly about number and emphasis.
Use “what kind of” when you mean what type or category, especially when asking about one general type.
Use “what kinds of” when you want to emphasize multiple types, varieties, or categories.
Remember that “what kind of” can naturally appear before plural nouns, particularly when asking about a broad or general category. Therefore, context matters more than simply counting the noun after of.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is “what kind of” grammatically correct?
Yes. “What kind of” is a standard and very common English expression used to ask about a type, category, or general nature of something.
2. Is “what kinds of” correct?
Yes. “What kinds of” is correct when referring to multiple types, varieties, or categories.
3. What is the difference between “what kind of” and “what kinds of”?
“What kind of” usually focuses on one general type, while “what kinds of” emphasizes several types or categories.
4. Can “what kind of” be used with plural nouns?
Yes. For example, “What kind of movies do you like?” is completely natural. Here, “kind of” refers to the general category of movies.
5. Should I say “what kind of books” or “what kinds of books”?
Both can be correct. “What kind of books” often asks about someone’s general preference, while “what kinds of books” more strongly emphasizes multiple categories.
6. Is “what kind of” singular or plural?
Kind is singular, so “what kind of” is grammatically singular in the expression. However, the noun after of may be singular or plural depending on the intended meaning.
7. Is “what sort of” the same as “what kind of”?
They are very similar and often interchangeable. “What sort of” can sound especially natural in British English, while both expressions are widely understood.
8. Which is more common: “what kind of” or “what kinds of”?
“What kind of” is extremely common because people frequently ask about a general type or category. “What kinds of” is useful when several varieties are being emphasized.
Remember This
- What kind of = what type or general category
- What kinds of = what types or several categories
- Kind is singular.
- Kinds is plural.
- Both can be followed by singular or plural nouns depending on the sentence.
- Context determines which expression sounds most natural.
Conclusion
Knowing the difference between “what kind of” and “what kinds of” is easier than it first appears. The basic rule is simple: use kind for one general category and kinds when you want to emphasize multiple categories or varieties.
However, do not assume that plural nouns always require “what kinds of.” Native and fluent English speakers commonly say “What kind of books do you read?” when asking about a person’s general reading preference. Focus on the meaning you want to communicate, and your choice will become much more natural.
John Tyler is a dream researcher and content writer at SleepCout, sharing insightful articles about coded dreams, dream meanings, symbolism, sleep psychology, and practical guidance to help readers understand their dreams.
