If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence wondering whether to say “what kind of books” or “what kinds of books,” you’re not alone. The what kind of vs what kinds of question trips up native speakers and learners alike, mostly because the fix is so simple that it’s easy to overthink. This guide breaks the rule down in plain English, walks through real examples, and gives you a memory trick so you never second-guess yourself again.
Quick Answer
Here’s the short version of what kind of vs what kinds of: “what kind of” goes with a singular noun, because you’re asking about one category. “What kinds of” goes with a plural noun, because you’re asking about more than one category. Match the noun, and the rest takes care of itself.
Meaning of “What Kind of”
“What kind of” is the singular form of the phrase. It asks about a single category, type, or variety of something, even when that something is broad. Grammatically, “kind” is a singular noun, so anything that follows it in a natural, unmodified question should stay singular too.
When to Use It
- Use it before a singular, countable noun: “What kind of car do you drive?”
- Use it before uncountable nouns, since they don’t have a plural form anyway: “What kind of music do you like?”
- Use it when you expect one answer, not a list of several types.
Meaning of “What Kinds of”
“What kinds of” is the plural form. It asks about multiple categories or varieties at once, and it expects a plural noun after it. Whenever you’re fishing for a list, several different types, or a broad range of options, this is the version you want.
Learn More: Placque vs Plaque: The Definitive Guide to Correct Usage
When to Use It
- Use it before a plural noun: “What kinds of birds live in this park?”
- Use it when the answer could include more than one category: “What kinds of jobs are available?”
- Use it for topics with many recognized subtypes: “What kinds of insurance does the company offer?”
Key Difference Explained Simply
Picture “kind” as a single box and “kinds” as a row of boxes on a shelf. One box holds one type of thing; a row holds several. That mental picture is really all the what kind of vs what kinds of debate comes down to. If you’re picturing one box, say “kind.” If you’re picturing a shelf full of boxes, say “kinds.”
Comparison Table: What Kind of vs What Kinds of
The table below lays out the what kind of vs what kinds of rule side by side, so you can scan it whenever you need a quick refresher.
| Feature | What Kind of | What Kinds of |
| Noun that follows | Singular | Plural |
| Number of categories implied | One | Several |
| Example | What kind of dog is that? | What kinds of dogs make good pets? |
| Typical answer | A single breed or type | A list of breeds or types |
| Works with uncountable nouns | Yes | Rarely |
Real-Life Example Scenarios
- At a coffee shop: “What kind of milk do you have?” expects one answer, like oat or almond. “What kinds of milk do you carry?” invites a full list.
- In a job interview: “What kind of role are you looking for?” narrows to one position type. “What kinds of roles have you held?” opens the door to a career history.
- In a classroom: A teacher asking “What kind of story is this?” wants a single genre label. Asking “What kinds of stories do you enjoy reading?” invites a range of genres.
- While shopping online: “What kind of warranty comes with this laptop?” points to one policy. “What kinds of warranties does the store offer across its product lines?” signals you’re comparing several plans at once.
- In customer support chats: Agents often ask “What kind of issue are you experiencing?” first, then follow up with “What kinds of troubleshooting steps have you already tried?” once the conversation moves into specifics. Each version of the what kind of vs what kinds of pattern fits a different stage of the conversation.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
A frequent error is mixing “kind” with a plural noun, or pairing “kinds” with a singular noun. Fixing the what kind of vs what kinds of mismatch is simple once you spot it:
- Wrong: “These kind of people annoy me.” Correct: “These kinds of people annoy me,” or “This kind of person annoys me.”
- Wrong: “What kinds of advice do you have?” when “advice” is uncountable and usually pairs with “kind.” Correct: “What kind of advice do you have?”
- Wrong: “That kind of things happen.” Correct: “That kind of thing happens,” or “Those kinds of things happen.”
Helpful Memory Trick
Say the word out loud: “kind” has no S, so it wants no S on the noun that follows (singular). “Kinds” has an S, so it wants an S on the noun too (plural). Matching the S is the fastest way to settle any what kind of vs what kinds of dispute mid-sentence.
American vs British English Differences
Both American and British English follow the same core rule for what kind of vs what kinds of. The difference shows up in style rather than grammar: British speakers reach for “sort of” and “sorts of” more often in casual conversation, while American speakers lean toward “kind of” and “kinds of” or “type of” and “types of.” None of these swaps change the singular-plural agreement rule.
Related Phrases and Synonyms
- Type of / Types of: “What type of phone do you use?” vs. “What types of phones does the store sell?”
- Sort of / Sorts of: “What sort of weather do you expect?” vs. “What sorts of weather affect flights?”
- Category of / Categories of: Used more in formal or technical writing.
All of these follow the same what kind of vs what kinds of logic: singular partner for singular phrasing, plural partner for plural phrasing.
Why This Distinction Matters
Getting what kind of vs what kinds of right matters more than it might seem. In professional emails, resumes, and reports, a mismatched “kind of” or “kinds of” can read as careless, even if the meaning is still clear. For non-native speakers, mastering this rule builds confidence in everyday conversation. And for anyone writing content for the web, correct grammar keeps readers engaged and signals credibility to both people and search engines.
Beyond the workplace, the what kind of vs what kinds of rule shows up constantly in casual life: ordering food, chatting with new coworkers, filling out forms, or texting friends about weekend plans. Small agreement errors rarely block communication entirely, but they do slow the reader down, and that split-second stumble is exactly what good grammar tries to avoid. Learning the rule once means you stop noticing it altogether, which is really the goal of any grammar lesson worth its salt.
Practice Sentences
Fill in the blank with “kind of” or “kinds of,” then check your answer.
- What ___ shoes go best with jeans? (kind of)
- What ___ music do you listen to when you study? (kind of)
- What ___ vegetables grow well in clay soil? (kinds of)
- What ___ support does your team need? (kind of)
- What ___ animals live in the rainforest? (kinds of)
FAQs
Which is correct: “what kind of” or “what kinds of”?
Both are correct. The what kind of vs what kinds of choice depends on the noun: use “what kind of” with a singular noun and “what kinds of” with a plural noun.
What is the difference between “kind of” and “kinds of”?
“Kind of” refers to one category; “kinds of” refers to more than one category or type.
When should you use “kind” vs “kinds”?
Use “kind” for a single type and “kinds” when you’re referring to several types together.
Which is correct: “any kind of” or “any kinds of”?
“Any kind of” is standard before a singular or uncountable noun, as in “any kind of help.” “Any kinds of” is rare and non-standard.
Is it correct to say “kind of things” or “kinds of things”?
“Kinds of things” is the grammatically standard plural form. “Kind of things” is common in casual speech but breaks strict agreement.
Which is correct: “these kinds of” or “this kind of”?
Both are correct: “this kind of” pairs with a singular noun, and “these kinds of” pairs with a plural noun.
Is it correct to say “those kind” or “those kinds”?
“Those kinds” is correct. “Those kind” mismatches a plural demonstrative with a singular noun.
Which is correct: “two kinds of people” or “two kind of people”?
“Two kinds of people” is correct, since any number greater than one requires the plural “kinds.”
Is “2 kinds” or “2 kind” correct?
“2 kinds” is correct. Numbers above one always pair with the plural form.
Which is correct: “all kind of” or “all kinds of”?
“All kinds of” is the standard, correct phrase. “All kind of” is a common but non-standard shortcut in casual speech.
Final Thought
The rule behind what kind of vs what kinds of really comes down to one thing: matching singular with singular and plural with plural. Keep that agreement in mind, and you’ll sound polished in emails, essays, and everyday conversation alike. Once it clicks, you’ll never have to pause over “kind” or “kinds” again.
