What kind of and what kinds of are both correct English expressions, but they are not always interchangeable. The choice depends mainly on whether you are asking about one type or category or multiple types or categories.
This small grammar difference can make your questions sound more natural and precise. Whether you’re asking about food, jobs, books, products, people, or ideas, knowing when to use kind and when to use kinds will help you write and speak English more confidently.
Quick Answer
Use what kind of when asking about one general type or category. Use what kinds of when asking about several different types or categories. For example, “What kind of music do you like?” is general, while “What kinds of music do you like?” asks about multiple genres.
Why People Confuse It
The confusion happens because both expressions can sometimes ask nearly the same question.
Compare:
- What kind of book do you like?
- What kinds of books do you like?
The first question focuses on a general category or preference. The second suggests that several different categories may be possible.
Another reason for confusion is that English speakers sometimes use what kind of with plural nouns in informal speech. However, understanding the singular and plural distinction helps you make clearer grammatical choices.
What Kind of: Meaning and Definition
What kind of uses the singular noun kind.
It usually asks about:
- One type
- One category
- A general classification
- The nature or quality of something
Examples of “What Kind of”
- What kind of music do you like?
- What kind of job are you looking for?
- What kind of food does she prefer?
- What kind of person is he?
- What kind of problem are we dealing with?
Here, the speaker is asking for a general description or category.
You can often think of what kind of as asking:
What type of thing is it?
What Kinds of: Meaning and Definition
What kinds of uses the plural noun kinds.
It usually asks about:
- Multiple types
- Different categories
- Several varieties
- A range of possibilities
Examples of “What Kinds of”
- What kinds of books do you read?
- What kinds of movies do they enjoy?
- What kinds of problems can this cause?
- What kinds of animals live there?
- What kinds of skills do employers want?
Here, the speaker expects or invites more than one type as an answer.
You can think of what kinds of as asking:
Which different types are there?
What Kind of vs What Kinds of: Comparison Table
| Feature | What kind of | What kinds of |
|---|---|---|
| Main idea | One general type or category | Multiple types or categories |
| Noun form | Singular: kind | Plural: kinds |
| Typical following noun | Singular or uncountable noun | Usually plural countable noun |
| Example | What kind of music do you like? | What kinds of music do you like? |
| Expected answer | One general preference or category | Several different examples or categories |
When to Use Each
Use what kind of when you are asking about one general category.
Choose it with:
- Singular countable nouns
- Uncountable nouns
- General questions
Examples:
- What kind of car do you drive?
- What kind of advice do you need?
- What kind of music is this?
- What kind of person would enjoy this?
Use what kinds of when you want to know about several varieties or categories.
Choose it mainly with:
- Plural countable nouns
- Questions expecting multiple answers
- Discussions involving variety
Examples:
- What kinds of cars do you like?
- What kinds of books are popular?
- What kinds of activities do children enjoy?
- What kinds of questions should I ask?
Examples
Here are 14 examples to make the difference easy to understand:
- What kind of coffee do you usually drink?
- What kinds of drinks do you serve?
- What kind of movie are we watching tonight?
- What kinds of movies do you enjoy?
- What kind of problem is this?
- What kinds of problems can happen?
- What kind of job does he want?
- What kinds of jobs are available?
- What kind of music do you listen to?
- What kinds of musical instruments can you play?
- What kind of animal is that?
- What kinds of animals live in this forest?
- What kind of information do you need?
- What kinds of skills should a good writer develop?
Notice the pattern: kind usually focuses on one general category, while kinds emphasizes variety.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using “kinds” with an uncountable noun unnecessarily
❌ What kinds of information do you need?
✔ What kind of information do you need?
Because information is usually uncountable, kind of information is generally the more natural choice when asking generally.
Mistake 2: Using “kind” when several categories are clearly expected
Less natural:
❌ What kind of books do you read?
More precise:
✔ What kinds of books do you read?
If you expect answers such as mystery, history, science fiction, and biography, the plural kinds works especially well.
Mistake 3: Thinking only one form is always correct
Both expressions are correct. The right choice depends on meaning and context.
For example:
- What kind of music do you like? → asks about your general preference.
- What kinds of music do you like? → asks about several genres you enjoy.
Mistake 4: Forgetting that context matters
Sometimes either expression is possible, but the emphasis changes.
What kind of food do you like? sounds broad and general.
What kinds of food do you like? emphasizes different varieties or cuisines.
Memory Trick
Remember this simple rule:
🌸 One category = one kind.
🧁 Many categories = many kinds.
Think:
Kind = type
Kinds = types
If you would naturally say “What type?”, use what kind of.
If you would naturally say “What types?”, use what kinds of.
American vs British English
Both American English and British English use what kind of and what kinds of in essentially the same way.
There is no major spelling or grammar difference between the two varieties.
In both:
- What kind of is common for general questions.
- What kinds of is useful when emphasizing multiple categories or varieties.
In casual conversation, native speakers may sometimes use what kind of more broadly, even when discussing plural items. However, what kinds of often makes the intended meaning clearer when multiple types are involved.
Similar Words
Type vs Kind
Type and kind often have similar meanings.
- What type of car is it?
- What kind of car is it?
Both can ask about classification.
Sort vs Kind
Sort is another word for category or type, especially in British English.
- What sort of music do you like?
- What kind of music do you like?
Kind of vs Kinds of
- Kind of = one type or a general category.
- Kinds of = multiple types or categories.
Type of vs Types of
The same singular/plural rule applies:
- What type of problem is this?
- What types of problems can occur?
Variety vs Varieties
- Variety can mean one particular type.
- Varieties refers to multiple different types.
Final Verdict
Both what kind of and what kinds of are grammatically correct, but they communicate slightly different ideas.
Use what kind of when asking about one general type, category, nature, or classification. Use what kinds of when asking about multiple types, varieties, or categories.
In many everyday questions, both may be possible. The best choice depends on whether you want a broad general answer or several different examples.
Remember This
🌷 What kind of = one general type.
🌈 What kinds of = multiple types.
Ask yourself: Am I asking about one category or several categories? That answer will usually tell you which form sounds most natural.
FAQs
1. Is “what kind of” grammatically correct?
Yes. What kind of is completely correct and commonly used when asking about a general type or category.
2. Is “what kinds of” grammatically correct?
Yes. Use what kinds of when asking about multiple types, categories, or varieties.
3. Can “what kind of” be followed by a plural noun?
Yes, it can sometimes appear before a plural noun, especially in informal English, but the meaning and context should be considered carefully. What kinds of is often clearer when multiple categories are intended.
4. Which is correct: “What kind of books?” or “What kinds of books?”
Both can be heard, but “What kinds of books?” is generally more precise when asking about several genres or categories. “What kind of book?” is natural when asking about one book or one general category.
5. Is “what kind of music do you like?” correct?
Yes. It is a very natural question because music is an uncountable noun and the question asks about a general preference.
6. Is there a difference between “what kind of food” and “what kinds of food”?
Yes. What kind of food asks broadly about your general preference, while what kinds of food emphasizes multiple varieties, cuisines, or categories.
7. Do American and British speakers use these expressions differently?
No major difference exists. Both forms are used in American and British English according to the same general singular and plural principles.
Conclusion
The difference between what kind of vs what kinds of is mainly about singular versus plural meaning. Use what kind of when asking about one general category or type, especially with singular and uncountable nouns. Use what kinds of when asking about several categories, varieties, or examples.
When you’re unsure, think about the answer you expect. If you want one broad category, choose what kind of. If you expect a list of different types, choose what kinds of. This simple grammar check will help your questions sound clearer, more natural, and more confident.
Lutana Maroochy is a creative author recognized for delivering engaging and well-researched content. With a passion for clear communication and storytelling, Lutana focuses on producing informative, reader-centered articles across various subjects. Dedicated to quality and originality, Lutana consistently connects with audiences through thoughtful insights and compelling narratives.
