Choosing between what kind of vs what kinds of can feel tricky because both phrases are correct, but they are used slightly differently. The difference is usually simple: one points to one type or category, while the other points to several types or categories.
Choosing between what kind of and what kinds of can feel tricky because both phrases are correct. The difference is usually simple: one points to one type or category, while the other points to several types or categories.
I often see this question in emails, school assignments, online posts, and everyday conversations. A writer may know exactly what they want to ask but pause over one small detail: should the noun after what kind of be singular or plural? 🤔
The good news is that you do not need a complicated grammar rule to make the right choice. Once you understand whether you are asking about one type or more than one type, the answer becomes much clearer.
In this guide, I’ll explain what kind of vs what kinds of with simple rules, examples, tables, practical situations, and common mistakes. By the end, you should be able to choose the right form naturally and confidently. ✨ Has Long Been vs Has Been for a Long Time | Seem or Seems | Lozenger or Lozenge
🎯 Quick Answer: What Kind of vs What Kinds of
What kind of is normally used when you are asking about one type, category, or general class. What kinds of is used when you are asking about multiple types or categories.
For example:
- ✅ What kind of music do you like?
- ✅ What kinds of music do you listen to?
The first question can ask about a general type of music. The second suggests several types or categories.
The noun that follows can also affect the choice. With a singular countable noun, what kind of is common. With a plural countable noun, what kinds of is often natural.
What Kind of vs What Kinds of: The Basic Difference
The main difference is the number of types you have in mind.
What kind of treats kind as singular. It asks about one type or category.
What kinds of treats kinds as plural. It asks about two or more types or categories.
| Form | Number of “kind” | Basic Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| what kind of | Singular | One type or category | What kind of book is it? |
| what kinds of | Plural | Several types or categories | What kinds of books do you read? |
The key point is that kind refers to a category. It does not necessarily mean that only one physical object exists.
For example, you can say:
What kind of books do you enjoy?
Here, books is plural, but kind is singular. You are asking for a category or general type of books.
You can also say:
What kinds of books do you enjoy?
This asks about multiple categories, such as mystery books, biographies, fantasy books, and history books.
Both can be correct. The intended meaning changes slightly.
What Does “What Kind Of” Mean?
What kind of is used to ask about the type, category, or nature of something. It can refer to one specific category or to a general type.
Consider:
What kind of car do you drive?
The speaker wants to know the type of car. The answer could be “a sedan,” “an SUV,” or “an electric car.”
The phrase can also introduce a broader question:
What kind of food do you like?
This does not necessarily mean the person likes only one food. It asks about their general preference or category.
| Question | Possible Answer | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| What kind of car do you drive? | An SUV. | One general type |
| What kind of music do you like? | Jazz. | One category or preference |
| What kind of movie is this? | A comedy. | One classification |
| What kind of job do you want? | A teaching job. | One general type |
| What kind of person is he? | He is very patient. | General nature or character |
When “What Kind of” Sounds Most Natural
I commonly use what kind of when the question focuses on a broad category.
For example:
- What kind of phone do you have?
- What kind of coffee do you prefer?
- What kind of weather do you enjoy?
- What kind of work do you do?
- What kind of dog is that?
The phrase is especially common in everyday conversation.
What Does “What Kinds Of” Mean?
What kinds of is used when the speaker wants information about multiple types or categories.
For example:
What kinds of books are popular with children?
The question can include several categories. The answer might mention fantasy, adventure, mystery, and comedy.
The plural form makes the idea of multiple categories more visible.
| Question | Possible Categories | Why Plural Works |
|---|---|---|
| What kinds of books do you read? | Mystery, fantasy, history | Several categories |
| What kinds of food do you cook? | Italian, Mexican, Indian | Several categories |
| What kinds of jobs are available? | Teaching, sales, design | Several job types |
| What kinds of movies do you watch? | Comedy, drama, action | Multiple genres |
| What kinds of plants grow here? | Trees, flowers, herbs | Several types |
The important idea is categories, not simply the number of objects.
You might own 20 books but still ask:
What kind of book is this?
You are identifying the category of one book.
You could also ask:
What kinds of books do you have?
Now you are asking about several categories in the collection.
Is “What Kind Of” Used With Plural Nouns?
Yes. This is one of the most useful points to understand.
What kind of can appear before a plural noun when you are talking about a general type or category.
For example:
- ✅ What kind of books do you enjoy?
- ❌ What kind of book do you enjoy?
The second sentence is not automatically wrong. It can be correct if the question refers to one book or one general book type.
The plural noun does not force kind to become plural.
Compare these:
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| What kind of books do you read? | What general type of books do you read? |
| What kinds of books do you read? | Which different categories of books do you read? |
| What kind of book is this? | What type is this one book? |
| What kinds of books are on the shelf? | What different categories are present? |
This is why simply matching singular nouns with kind and plural nouns with kinds is not a complete rule.
Can “What Kinds Of” Be Used With Uncountable Nouns?
Yes. What kinds of can be used before uncountable nouns when you mean different varieties or categories.
For example:
What kinds of music do you listen to?
Music is normally uncountable, but there can be many kinds of music, such as rock, jazz, classical music, and country music.
Other examples include:
- What kinds of information do you need?
- What kinds of equipment are available?
- What kinds of advice are useful?
- What kinds of furniture do you sell?
| Noun | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| music | What kinds of music do you enjoy? | Different genres |
| food | What kinds of food do you eat? | Different categories |
| advice | What kinds of advice help students? | Different forms of advice |
| information | What kinds of information are needed? | Different types of information |
| equipment | What kinds of equipment are required? | Different equipment categories |
🎯 What Kind of vs What Kinds of in Questions
The choice becomes easier when you look at what the speaker wants to know.
If the question asks for one general category, use what kind of.
If it asks for several categories, use what kinds of.
| Speaker’s Intention | Preferred Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| One category | what kind of | What kind of car is it? |
| General type | what kind of | What kind of music do you like? |
| Several categories | what kinds of | What kinds of cars are popular? |
| Multiple varieties | what kinds of | What kinds of music do you enjoy? |
There is sometimes overlap. Native speakers may use either form depending on how they frame the question.
That is why context matters more than simply counting the noun.
💡 Test Tip: Use the “One Type or Several Types?” Test
Here is my favorite quick test.
Replace kind/kinds with type/types.
If you mean:
What type of…?
Use what kind of.
If you mean:
What types of…?
Use what kinds of.
For example:
What kind of movies do you watch?
Think:
What type of movies do you watch?
Now compare:
What kinds of movies do you watch?
Think:
What types of movies do you watch?
If several categories are clearly intended, the plural form makes sense.
📝 Case Study: Choosing the Right Form at Work
Imagine that a manager sends an email to a new employee.
The manager wants to learn about the employee’s preferred work.
The manager writes:
What kind of projects would you like to work on?
This is natural because the manager is asking about the employee’s general project preference.
Now imagine a team leader reviewing several departments. The leader asks:
What kinds of projects are each department handling?
Here, several project categories are being discussed.
| Situation | Natural Question | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Asking about one general preference | What kind of project interests you? | General category |
| Asking about several project categories | What kinds of projects are planned? | Multiple categories |
| Identifying one project | What kind of project is this? | One project type |
| Comparing project categories | What kinds of projects do we handle? | Several categories |
I once edited a short workplace guide where a writer changed every kind to kinds because the following nouns were plural. That created several awkward sentences. The writer had focused on the noun after of instead of the meaning of kind. Once we looked at the intended categories, the corrections became easy.
What Kind of vs What Kinds of at a Glance
The simplest way to remember the difference is to focus on one category versus several categories.
| Form | Main Idea | Typical Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| What kind of | One type or broad category | General questions | What kind of food do you like? |
| What kinds of | Multiple types | Several categories | What kinds of food do you serve? |
Neither form is automatically “more correct.”
The meaning decides which one fits.
Key Differences Between What Kind of and What Kinds of
There are four useful differences to remember.
1. Singular category
What kind of treats kind as one category.
What kind of animal is that?
You want to classify one animal.
2. Multiple categories
What kinds of points toward multiple categories.
What kinds of animals live in this area?
You may expect several answers.
3. General preference
What kind of is extremely common when asking about someone’s general preference.
What kind of music do you like?
The person could like many songs, artists, and genres.
4. Variety or range
What kinds of works well when you want to emphasize variety.
What kinds of music are included in the festival?
The question suggests more than one musical category.
| Difference | What Kind of | What Kinds of |
|---|---|---|
| Number of categories | One/general | Several |
| Common question | What kind of movie is this? | What kinds of movies are showing? |
| General preference | Very common | Also possible |
| Emphasis on variety | Less direct | Stronger |
Why Do People Confuse What Kind of and What Kinds of?
People often confuse these forms because the noun after of may be singular or plural independently of kind.
For example:
What kind of books do you read?
The noun books is plural, but kind is singular.
This can surprise learners because they expect the words to match.
They do not always need to match.
Another reason is that speakers often use kind of as a broad phrase for “type of.” The exact number of examples is not always important.
A student once asked me why “What kind of books?” could be correct when books is plural. I explained that the question was asking for one broad category, not one physical book. That small distinction made the pattern much easier for the student to understand.
Grammar Rules Explanation
The grammar becomes clear when you separate the phrase into two ideas.
Kind is a singular noun meaning one type or category.
Kinds is its plural form, meaning more than one type or category.
The word after of does not always control whether kind is singular or plural.
Consider:
What kind of books do you like?
Here, kind is singular. The speaker asks about the general category of books.
Now consider:
What kinds of books do you like?
Here, kinds is plural. The speaker is more clearly asking about multiple categories.
Standard English usage allows both patterns when the meaning supports them. General dictionary and grammar references also treat kind as a noun that can be singular or plural depending on the intended meaning.
Correct vs Incorrect at a Glance
| Sentence | Correct/Incorrect | Why |
|---|---|---|
| What kind of car do you drive? | ✅ Correct | One general category |
| What kinds of cars do you sell? | ✅ Correct | Several categories |
| What kind of books do you enjoy? | ✅ Correct | One broad category |
| What kinds of books do you enjoy? | ✅ Correct | Several categories |
| What kinds of book do you enjoy? | ❌ Usually incorrect | Plural kinds normally takes a plural category noun here |
The last example is awkward because kinds of book does not normally express the intended meaning. In ordinary usage, kinds of books is the natural form.
Correct Meanings and Uses
What Kind of for One General Type
Use what kind of when you want to identify a type.
What kind of car is that?
The question concerns the category of one car.
What kind of software do you use?
This can ask about the general type of software.
What Kind of for General Preferences
This is one of the most common uses.
What kind of music do you like?
The answer might include several artists, songs, or even genres. The question still works because the speaker is asking about a broad preference.
What Kinds of for Several Categories
Use what kinds of when the range of categories matters.
What kinds of books are available?
This could refer to fiction, nonfiction, biographies, textbooks, and other categories.
What Kinds of for Variety
The plural form can highlight variety.
What kinds of problems can this tool solve?
The speaker expects different types of problems.
| Meaning | Word Form | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| One general type | what kind of | What kind of phone is this? |
| General preference | what kind of | What kind of food do you prefer? |
| Several categories | what kinds of | What kinds of food are available? |
| Variety | what kinds of | What kinds of problems can occur? |
What Kind of vs What Kinds of in Everyday Conversation
In casual speech, what kind of is especially common.
People often ask:
- What kind of music do you like?
- What kind of food do you want?
- What kind of car do you have?
- What kind of movies do you watch?
- What kind of books do you read?
The plural version is also normal:
- What kinds of movies are you interested in?
- What kinds of food are served here?
- What kinds of books does the store sell?
The difference depends on whether the speaker sees the answer as one broad category or several categories.
What Kind of vs What Kinds of in Professional Writing
Professional writing often benefits from choosing the form that makes the intended scope clear.
For example:
What kind of information do you need from the client?
This asks about the general type of information.
But:
What kinds of information should the report include?
This can emphasize several categories of information.
| Context | Which Term to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday conversation | Either | What kind of food do you like? |
| Professional email | Either, based on meaning | What kind of information do you need? |
| Report | Often what kinds of for multiple categories | What kinds of risks should we consider? |
| Academic writing | Meaning determines choice | What kinds of evidence support this claim? |
What Kind of vs What Kinds of in Creative Writing
Creative writers can use both forms naturally.
A character might ask:
What kind of person would do that?
This focuses on character or nature.
Another character might ask:
What kinds of people live in this town?
This asks about different groups or categories of people.
The choice can even affect the tone. The singular form can sound more focused. The plural form can suggest range or variety.
What Kind of vs What Kinds of in Social Media and Texting
Informal digital writing follows the same basic grammar rules.
Examples include:
What kind of music are you into?
What kinds of shows are you watching?
Both are natural.
Fast typing can make people ignore the difference, especially when autocorrect does not flag the sentence.
| Digital Situation | Example | Best Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Asking about a general taste | What kind of music do you like? | what kind of |
| Asking about several genres | What kinds of music do you listen to? | what kinds of |
| Asking about one product type | What kind of laptop is that? | what kind of |
| Asking about several product categories | What kinds of laptops are available? | what kinds of |
Common Mistakes With What Kind of and What Kinds of
The biggest mistake is assuming that the noun after of must always determine the form.
That is not true.
Mistake 1: Making “kind” plural just because the noun is plural
❌ What kinds of books do you usually read?
This is not wrong if several book categories are intended. But if you are asking for a general preference, it may be clearer to say:
✅ What kind of books do you usually read?
Mistake 2: Using singular “kind” when several categories are clearly listed
❌ What kind of books do you sell: fiction, history, and science?
✅ What kinds of books do you sell: fiction, history, and science?
The second version clearly introduces several categories.
Mistake 3: Using “kinds” when only one category is meant
❌ What kinds of car is this?
✅ What kind of car is this?
The singular noun car strongly supports the singular phrase here.
Why These Mistakes Happen
Three common causes are:
- Fast typing: People write what sounds close enough.
- Autocorrect: Software may not catch a meaning-based grammar problem.
- Lack of knowledge: Writers may think kind must always match the noun after of.
I once caught myself typing what kinds of advice in a sentence where I meant one broad category of advice. The sentence was grammatical, but it did not express the exact focus I wanted. That reminded me that grammar is sometimes about meaning, not just form.
Similar Grammar Confusions
The same kind of problem appears in many other pairs.
| Confusion | Correct Forms | Main Difference |
|---|---|---|
| its / it’s | its, it’s | Possession vs contraction |
| your / you’re | your, you’re | Possession vs “you are” |
| their / they’re | their, they’re | Possession vs “they are” |
| advice / advise | advice, advise | Noun vs verb |
| affect / effect | affect, effect | Usually verb vs noun |
| fewer / less | fewer, less | Countable vs uncountable use |
These pairs show why relying only on sound or appearance can be risky.
Common Wrong Forms and Uses
Here are mistakes worth watching for specifically.
| Wrong Form | What’s Wrong | Correct Form |
|---|---|---|
| What kinds of car is this? | Singular noun after plural category marker | What kind of car is this? |
| What kind of cars are these different categories? | Meaning may require several categories | What kinds of cars are these? |
| What kind of types of books? | Unnecessary repetition | What kinds of books? |
| What kinds of book do you read? | Plural categories normally pair with plural noun | What kinds of books do you read? |
| What kind books do you read? | Missing of | What kind of books do you read? |
| What kinds book are available? | Missing of and wrong noun form | What kinds of books are available? |
How To Remember the Difference
Use this simple memory trick: When you remember this simple rule, choosing what kind of vs what kinds of becomes much easier in everyday writing.
Kind = one category.
Kinds = several categories.
Then ask yourself:
Am I asking for one general type, or am I asking about several types?
If the answer is one general type, choose what kind of.
If the answer is several types, choose what kinds of.
You can also use the type/types test:
- What type of → what kind of
- What types of → what kinds of
| Memory Test | Result |
|---|---|
| One type | what kind of |
| Several types | what kinds of |
| One category | what kind of |
| Several categories | what kinds of |
| General preference | Often what kind of |
| Variety emphasized | Often what kinds of |
Common Phrases With “Kind”
Although what kind of is not an idiom, kind appears in several common expressions.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| kind of | A type or, informally, somewhat |
| all kinds of | Many different types |
| one kind of | One particular type |
| every kind of | Every type within a group |
| different kinds of | Several distinct types |
| all kinds of things | Many different things |
Be careful with kind of because it has another informal use.
For example:
I am kind of tired.
Here, kind of means “somewhat” or “a little.” It is different from:
What kind of music do you like?
In the second sentence, kind refers to a type or category.
Alternatives to What Kind of and What Kinds of
Sometimes you can replace these phrases with simpler wording.
| Alternative | Works When | Does Not Work When |
|---|---|---|
| What type of | You want a direct category question | Very casual conversation may sound slightly formal |
| Which type of | The possible types are limited | You do not have a clear set of choices |
| Which kinds of | Several known categories are being selected | You want a broad open question |
| What sort of | You want a natural alternative | Formal technical writing may prefer “type” |
| Which category of | Categories are clearly defined | Everyday conversation may sound too formal |
For example:
What kind of software do you use?
can become:
What type of software do you use?
Both are clear.
Why It Matters
Small grammar choices can affect clarity.
Using the right form helps readers understand whether you mean one category or several. This matters especially when the question is part of an email, report, survey, application, or published article.
| Situation | Why Getting It Right Matters |
|---|---|
| Resume or application | Shows careful writing |
| Client email | Makes questions clearer |
| Published content | Improves readability and trust |
| Social post | Prevents avoidable confusion |
A useful writing principle is:
Clear words make clear questions.
You do not need fancy grammar to sound professional. You need wording that matches your meaning.
Special Exception: “Kind Of” as “Somewhat”
There is one important edge case.
In informal English, kind of can mean “somewhat” or “rather.”
For example:
I am kind of tired.
Here, kind of does not mean “a type of.”
Compare:
What kind of music do you like?
Here, kind of means “what type of.”
| Sentence | Meaning of “kind of” |
|---|---|
| What kind of music do you like? | What type of music |
| This is a kind of plant. | A type of plant |
| I am kind of tired. | Somewhat tired |
| She is kind of nervous. | Somewhat nervous |
This difference is mostly clear from context.
What Kind of vs What Kinds of in Real Questions
Here are several pairs that show the difference.
| General Category | Multiple Categories |
|---|---|
| What kind of books do you like? | What kinds of books do you read? |
| What kind of food do you prefer? | What kinds of food are served? |
| What kind of car do you want? | What kinds of cars does the company make? |
| What kind of music do you enjoy? | What kinds of music are popular there? |
| What kind of job are you seeking? | What kinds of jobs are available? |
Notice that the difference is not always dramatic.
In real conversation, speakers may choose either form when the intended meaning overlaps. The plural form usually gives stronger emphasis to variety.
How Context Changes the Choice
Context can make either form appropriate. Understanding what kind of vs what kinds of in context helps you choose the form that best matches your intended meaning.
Imagine someone asks:
What kind of books do you like?
They may simply want to know your general reading taste.
If they ask:
What kinds of books do you like?
They may expect you to name several categories.
You could answer the first question with:
I like mystery books.
You could answer the second with:
I like mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction.
Both questions can be natural. The speaker’s focus determines the choice.
Quick Recap Checklist
Use this checklist whenever you are unsure.
| Question | If Yes → Use |
|---|---|
| Am I asking about one general type? | What kind of |
| Am I identifying one category? | What kind of |
| Am I asking about several categories? | What kinds of |
| Am I emphasizing variety? | What kinds of |
| Is the noun plural? | Check the meaning before choosing |
| Could I replace “kind” with “type”? | Use the same singular/plural pattern |
Practice Examples
- ___ music do you enjoy?
Answer: What kind of music do you enjoy?
- ___ movies are available tonight?
Answer: What kinds of movies are available tonight?
- ___ car is your brother buying?
Answer: What kind of car is your brother buying?
The fastest method is to decide whether you mean one type or several types.
FAQs About What Kind of vs What Kinds of
Is “what kind of” grammatically correct?
Yes. What kind of is a standard and common phrase used to ask about a type, category, nature, or general class of something.
Is “what kinds of” grammatically correct?
Yes. What kinds of is also correct. It normally emphasizes several types, categories, or varieties.
What is the difference between “what kind of” and “what kinds of”?
What kind of usually focuses on one general type or category. What kinds of usually focuses on multiple types or categories.
Can I say “what kind of books”?
Yes. What kind of books is completely natural. The plural noun books does not require kind to be plural.
Can I say “what kinds of books”?
Yes. What kinds of books is also correct. It usually suggests that you are asking about several categories of books.
Which is better: “what kind of music” or “what kinds of music”?
Both can be correct. What kind of music often asks about a general music preference. What kinds of music can emphasize different genres or varieties.
Should “kind” match the noun after “of”?
No. The form of kind depends on the number of categories you mean, not simply on whether the following noun is singular or plural.
Is “what kinds of book” correct?
Usually, no, if you mean different categories of books. The natural form is what kinds of books.
Can “kind of” mean “somewhat”?
Yes. In informal English, kind of can mean “somewhat” or “rather,” as in “I am kind of tired.” This is different from what kind of, which usually asks about a type or category.
Is “what sort of” the same as “what kind of”?
In many situations, yes. What sort of can be used as a natural alternative to what kind of, especially in general questions about type or category.
Conclusion
What kind of vs what kinds of is mainly a question of meaning. Use what kind of when you are thinking about one general type or category. Use what kinds of when you want to highlight several types, categories, or varieties.
The noun after of does not automatically decide the answer. That is why both “What kind of books do you read?” and “What kinds of books do you read?” can be correct. The first can ask about a general category. The second can emphasize several categories.
When you are unsure, use the simplest test: replace kind with type. If you mean “what type,” choose what kind of. If you mean “what types,” choose what kinds of. 👍
Good grammar is not about making every sentence complicated. It is about making your meaning easy to understand. Once you focus on the number of categories rather than simply the noun that follows, this distinction becomes much easier.
Remember: one type means “what kind of”; several types mean “what kinds of.””
Hi, I’m Ethan Brooks. I’m an English grammar writer at Grammariva, where I work on clear explanations, practical examples, and useful writing tips. I enjoy making difficult grammar topics easier to understand.
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