Many English learners and native speakers pause before writing “what kind of” or “what kinds of.” The two phrases look almost the same, but one small letter changes the meaning. Use “what kind of” when you are asking about one category. Use “what kinds of” when you expect more than one category in the answer.
This guide explains both phrases in plain language, with examples, a comparison table, common mistakes, a memory trick, and practice sentences. By the end, you will know which phrase to choose in any situation.
What Kinds
“What kinds” is the plural form of the question phrase “what kind.” It always needs “of” after it and a noun to finish the thought. For example: “What kinds of books do you read?”
You use it when you want a list of types, not just one. The word “kinds” tells the listener you expect several categories in the reply. Without “of” and a noun, the phrase feels unfinished.
Quick Answer
Here is the short version for anyone in a hurry:
- What kind of asks about one type or category. Example: “What kind of phone do you have?”
- What kinds of asks about several types or categories. Example: “What kinds of phones does this store sell?”
The test is simple. If you expect one type as the answer, choose “kind.” If you expect two or more types, choose “kinds.”
Meaning of “What Kind of”
“What kind of” is a question phrase used to ask about the nature, category, or type of something. The word “kind” is singular here, so it points to one category, even when the noun after it is plural in everyday speech.
Think of it as another way of asking “which type?” or “which sort?”
When to Use It
Use “what kind of” in these situations:
- You want to identify one specific type. “What kind of coffee do you like?”
- You are asking about one person or thing. “What kind of teacher is she?”
- You are describing character or quality. “What kind of person would do that?”
- You are asking about one item in front of you. “What kind of tree is this?”
Here are more examples:
- What kind of car are you planning to buy?
- What kind of job are you looking for?
- What kind of music helps you focus?
- What kind of weather do we expect tomorrow?
In each sentence, you expect a single answer, such as “a hybrid,” “a remote job,” or “instrumental music.”
Meaning of “What Kinds of”
“What kinds of” asks about multiple types, categories, or varieties. The plural “kinds” signals that the speaker wants a range of answers, not just one.
It is common in surveys, interviews, research questions, and any situation where you want a fuller picture.
When to Use It
Use “what kinds of” in these situations:
- You expect a list of answers. “What kinds of sports do you enjoy?”
- You are asking about a range or variety. “What kinds of jobs are available in tech?”
- You are studying or comparing categories. “What kinds of clouds appear before a storm?”
- You are asking about more than one thing. “What kinds of snacks should we buy for the party?”
More examples:
- What kinds of exercises help with back pain?
- What kinds of questions will the exam include?
- What kinds of cuisine does the restaurant serve?
- What kinds of skills do employers value most?
In these cases, a good answer will name several things, such as “running, swimming, and cycling.”
Key Difference Explained Simply
The difference comes down to quantity. “Kind” is singular, and “kinds” is plural. That is all.
When you say “what kind of,” you are zooming in on a single category. When you say “what kinds of,” you are zooming out to see the whole range.
Here is a quick way to picture it:
- One category in mind: “What kind of pasta is this?” The answer might be “penne.”
- Many categories in mind: “What kinds of pasta do you stock?” The answer might be “penne, fusilli, spaghetti, and macaroni.”
A helpful rule is to look at your expected answer. One answer means “kind.” A list means “kinds.”
Comparison Table: What Kind of vs What Kinds of
| Feature | What Kind of | What Kinds of |
| Number | Singular | Plural |
| Asks about | One type or category | Several types or categories |
| Expected answer | A single answer | A list or range of answers |
| Typical noun after it | Singular noun (what kind of dog) | Plural noun (what kinds of dogs) |
| Common use | Everyday conversation, identifying something | Surveys, research, broad questions |
| Example | What kind of pizza do you want? | What kinds of pizza do you offer? |
| Similar phrase | What type of, what sort of | What types of, what sorts of |
Real-Life Example Scenarios
Seeing the phrases in real situations makes the choice easier.
At a restaurant
- Customer to waiter: “What kinds of desserts do you have?” (The customer wants the full menu.)
- Waiter to customer: “What kind of dessert would you like?” (The waiter wants one choice.)
In a job interview
- Interviewer: “What kind of work environment helps you perform best?” (One ideal environment.)
- Candidate: “What kinds of projects will I handle in this role?” (A range of projects.)
At a pet store
- Shopper: “What kind of food is best for a puppy?” (One recommendation.)
- Shopper: “What kinds of toys are safe for puppies?” (Several options.)
In a classroom
- Teacher: “What kind of writer do you want to become?” (One goal.)
- Student: “What kinds of essays will we write this term?” (Several assignments.)
On a website or survey
- Form: “What kinds of content would you like to see more of?” (Multiple preferences.)
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even confident writers slip on these phrases. Here are the most frequent errors.
1. Using “kinds” when you mean one category
- Incorrect: What kinds of car is this?
- Correct: What kind of car is this?
2. Using “kind” when you want a list
- Incorrect: What kind of snacks do you sell? (when you want the full range)
- Better: What kinds of snacks do you sell?
3. Mixing “these kind of” or “those kind of”
- Incorrect: These kind of problems are hard to solve.
- Correct: This kind of problem is hard to solve. Or: These kinds of problems are hard to solve.
4. Forgetting the word “of”
- Incorrect: What kind dog is that?
- Correct: What kind of dog is that?
5. Mismatching the noun
- Careful: “What kind of dogs” is widely heard in speech, but “what kinds of dogs” is cleaner when you mean several breeds.
A Note on Plural Nouns After “Kind of”
You will often hear “what kind of shoes do you wear?” Here the plural noun follows singular “kind.” This is common in informal English and is usually accepted, because you are asking about one style of shoes, such as running shoes. In formal writing, match the number when you can, and use “kinds” if you really mean several styles.
Helpful Memory Trick
Use the “S for Several” trick.
- If you want several answers, add the s: “kinds.”
- If you want single answer, keep it without the s: “kind.”
Another quick check is to try replacing the phrase with “which types of.” If “which type of” sounds right, use “kind.” If “which types of” sounds right, use “kinds.”
You can also say your expected answer out loud. If it sounds like “a ,” pick “kind.” If it sounds like “, ___, and ___,” pick “kinds.”
American vs British English Differences
Good news: the grammar rule is the same in both American and British English. “Kind” is singular and “kinds” is plural in every variety of English.
The differences are small and mostly about style:
| Point | American English | British English |
| Core rule | Same | Same |
| Preferred alternative | “What type of” is very common | “What sort of” is very common |
| Informal speech | “What kinda” appears in casual talk | “What sort of” or “what kinda” in casual talk |
| Formal writing | “What kind of” or “what type of” | “What kind of” or “what sort of” |
British speakers lean toward “sort” a little more often, while Americans lean toward “kind” and “type.” None of these choices is wrong. Pick the one that fits your audience and keep the singular or plural form consistent.
Related Phrases and Synonyms
You can swap “kind” for several similar words without changing the meaning. Just keep the singular and plural pattern the same.
Singular forms
- What type of
- What sort of
- What variety of
- What category of
- What style of
Plural forms
- What types of
- What sorts of
- What varieties of
- What categories of
- What styles of
Examples:
- What type of battery does this laptop use?
- What sorts of activities do you offer for kids?
- What varieties of tea are available?
- What categories of products does the store carry?
Using these alternatives helps you avoid repeating yourself in longer writing. It also makes your tone sound more natural and varied.
Why This Distinction Matters
Small grammar choices shape how clear and professional you sound. Here is why this one deserves attention.
- Clear communication: The right phrase tells your listener whether you want one answer or many.
- Professional writing: Emails, reports, and resumes read better when singular and plural forms match.
- Better test scores: English exams often check number agreement, and this pair appears in many grammar questions.
- Stronger credibility: Readers trust writers who handle everyday grammar with care.
- Accurate surveys and research: The wrong phrase can lead respondents to give a single answer when you wanted a list.
In short, one letter can change what people answer, so it pays to choose carefully.
Practice Sentences
Fill in the blank with “kind of” or “kinds of,” then check the answers below.
- ______ food do you want for dinner tonight? (you expect one answer)
- ______ movies do you usually watch on weekends? (you expect a list)
- ______ person are you looking for as a business partner?
- ______ plants grow well in shade?
- ______ phone case is this?
- ______ questions might the interviewer ask?
- ______ music helps you relax after work? (you have one genre in mind)
- ______ jobs can you get with a design degree?
Answers
- What kind of
- What kinds of
- What kind of
- What kinds of
- What kind of
- What kinds of
- What kind of
- What kinds of
Bonus: correct the error
- “What kinds of dog is she?” becomes “What kind of dog is she?”
- “These kind of books are popular.” becomes “These kinds of books are popular.”
FAQs
1. What is the difference between “what kind of” and “what kinds of”?
“What kind of” asks about one type, while “what kinds of” asks about several types.
2. Is “what kind of” singular or plural?
It is singular because “kind” is a singular noun.
3. Can I say “what kind of dogs”?
Yes, it is common in casual speech, but “what kinds of dogs” is clearer when you mean several breeds.
4. Is “what kinds of” grammatically correct?
Yes, it is fully correct and used when you want multiple categories in the answer.
5. Is “these kind of” correct?
No, use “this kind of” or “these kinds of” so the words match in number.
6. Can I use “what type of” instead?
Yes, “type” works the same way, with “types” as the plural.
7. What is the difference between “kind” and “sort”?
They mean almost the same thing, though “sort” is slightly more common in British English.
8. Do I always need “of” after “kind”?
Yes, in this question pattern you need “of” before the noun.
Conclusion
Choosing between “what kind of” and “what kinds of” is easier than it looks. Ask yourself one question: do I expect one answer or several? If you expect one, use “what kind of.” If you expect a list, use “what kinds of.”
Remember the “S for Several” trick, keep your nouns in agreement, and avoid mistakes like “these kind of.” With a little practice, the right phrase will come to you automatically.
