“What kind of” and “what kinds of” look almost the same, yet they follow different grammar rules. The difference comes down to singular and plural nouns, not personal preference. Choosing the wrong one is a common mistake, even among fluent English speakers. This guide explains exactly when to use each phrase, with clear examples.
Both phrases ask about categories or types of something. Getting this right makes your writing and speech sound more natural and correct. The rule is simple once you understand the singular versus plural pattern behind it. By the end of this article, you will never mix them up again.
What Does “What Kind of” Mean?
“What kind of” is used when the noun that follows is singular or uncountable. It asks the listener to identify one type, category, or example of something.
For instance, someone might ask “what kind of car is lightning mcqueen” because “car” is a singular noun. The question expects one category as the answer, such as a race car or a stock car.
This phrase works the same way in countless everyday situations. You use it whenever you are asking about a single item, not several items at once.
Simple examples:
- What kind of dog is Bluey? (a single dog, a single breed)
- What kind of phone do I have? (one phone)
- What kind of tree is this? (one tree, pointing at something specific)
- What kind of oil does my car take? (oil is uncountable here)
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What Does “What Kinds of” Mean?
“What kinds of” is used when the noun that follows is plural. It asks about multiple categories or types at once, not just one.
For example, “what kinds of lawyers are there” asks about several categories of lawyers. The expected answer includes more than one type, such as corporate lawyers, criminal lawyers, or family lawyers.
This form appears often when someone wants a broader overview of a topic. It signals that the answer will likely be a list rather than a single item.
Simple examples:
- What kinds of arthritis are there? (multiple types expected)
- What kinds of engineers are there? (a list of engineering fields)
- What kinds of chickens are there? (many breeds exist)
- What kinds of emails are there? (several categories, such as promotional or transactional)
What Kind of Vs What Kinds of: The Core Grammar Rule
The entire difference rests on one grammar principle: subject and noun agreement.
| Phrase | Noun Type | Expected Answer |
| What kind of | Singular or uncountable noun | One category or type |
| What kinds of | Plural noun | Multiple categories or types |
“Kind” is singular, so it naturally pairs with a singular noun. “Kinds” is plural, so it naturally pairs with a plural noun.
This is the same agreement rule you already use elsewhere in English. You would say “this book” but “these books,” and the same logic applies here.
Why This Rule Exists
English generally requires the article, demonstrative, or quantifying word to match the number of the noun it modifies. “Kind of” and “kinds of” behave the same way, even though they are not traditional articles.
Native speakers often follow this rule instinctively without thinking about the grammar behind it. Non native speakers, however, sometimes struggle because the difference is subtle in casual speech.
Understanding the singular and plural pattern removes the guesswork completely.
What Kind of Vs What Kinds of: Side by Side Examples
Seeing both phrases next to each other makes the pattern easier to remember.
| Question with “kind of” | Question with “kinds of” |
| What kind of dog is Scooby Doo? | What kinds of dogs make good pets? |
| What kind of cheese does Chipotle use? | What kinds of cheese pair well with wine? |
| What kind of government does the US have? | What kinds of governments exist around the world? |
| What kind of animal is Goofy? | What kinds of animals live in forests? |
| What kind of magnesium should I take? | What kinds of magnesium are there? |
Notice how the second column always uses a plural noun immediately after “kinds of.” This pattern holds true across nearly every example, regardless of the topic.
When the Noun Stays the Same but the Form Changes
Sometimes the same base word can appear in both singular and plural form, depending on what you want to know.
For example:
- What kind of dementia does the patient have? (asking about one specific type)
- What kinds of dementia are there? (asking about the full range of types)
The word “dementia” itself does not change. What changes is whether the noun following “kind” or “kinds” is singular or plural in meaning.
This shows that the choice is about grammatical agreement, not about the topic itself.
Common Mistakes with What Kind of Vs What Kinds of
Even confident English speakers slip up here sometimes. Below are the most frequent errors, along with corrections.
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using “kind of” with a plural noun
❌ Incorrect: What kind of doctors are there?
✅ Correct: What kinds of doctors are there?
Since “doctors” is plural, “kinds” must also be plural to match.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Using “kinds of” with a singular noun
❌ Incorrect: What kinds of fish is Dory?
✅ Correct: What kind of fish is Dory?
Dory is one character, so the question asks about a single type of fish.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Mixing singular and plural mid-sentence
❌ Incorrect: What kind of triangles are the coldest?
✅ Correct: What kinds of triangles are the coldest?
“Triangles” is plural, so “kinds” is the correct match here.
⚠️ Mistake 4: Forgetting agreement in formal writing
❌ Incorrect: What kind of targets are ideal for rifle shooting?
✅ Correct: What kinds of targets are ideal for rifle shooting?
Formal writing tends to expose this mistake more clearly than casual speech, so extra care helps.
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What Kind of Vs What Kinds of in Real Sentences
Here are natural, everyday sentences showing correct usage in context.
Using “what kind of”:
- What kind of moon is it tonight?
- What kind of monkey is Punch?
- What kind of phone is this exactly?
- What kind of dog is Skye from Paw Patrol?
- What kind of plant is this on my windowsill?
Using “what kinds of”:
- What kinds of nurses are there in a hospital?
- What kinds of bones can dogs eat safely?
- What kinds of psychology exist as career paths?
- What kinds of color blindness affect vision?
- What kinds of trusts can someone set up?
Reading these side by side helps train your ear to notice the pattern naturally over time.
Grammar Breakdown: Part of Speech and Sentence Structure
“Kind” and “kinds” are nouns. “Of” is a preposition connecting the noun “kind” or “kinds” to the following noun.
The basic sentence structure looks like this:
What + kind/kinds + of + noun + verb + rest of sentence?
For example: What kind of car do you drive? What kinds of cars are fuel efficient?
This structure stays consistent no matter the topic, whether you are asking about animals, jobs, illnesses, or objects.
Uncountable Nouns Deserve Special Attention
Uncountable nouns, like water, oil, or advice, almost always pair with “kind of,” not “kinds of.”
Examples:
- What kind of advice would help here?
- What kind of music do you enjoy?
- What kind of magnesium should I take?
Even though these nouns can represent many varieties, they are grammatically singular, so “kind of” is correct.
Kind Of Vs Kinds Of: Without the Question Word
The same rule applies even when the sentence is not a direct question.
- I like this kind of weather.
- These kinds of situations require patience.
- That kind of humor does not work for everyone.
- Those kinds of mistakes are easy to avoid.
Whenever “kind” or “kinds” appears, check the noun that follows it. If that noun is singular, use “kind.” If it is plural, use “kinds.”
What Kind of Vs What Type Of: Is There a Difference?
“What kind of” and “what type of” are essentially interchangeable in meaning. Both ask about a category or classification of something.
The same singular and plural rule applies to “type” and “types” as well.
| Phrase | Example |
| What type of | What type of car do you own? |
| What types of | What types of cars are electric? |
“Type” simply sounds slightly more formal or technical in certain contexts, such as medical or scientific writing. “Kind” tends to feel more conversational and everyday.
Either word choice is grammatically correct as long as the singular or plural form matches the noun that follows.
Formal Vs Informal Usage
Both “what kind of” and “what kinds of” are appropriate in formal and informal English.
In casual conversation, speakers sometimes blend the sounds together, which can make the distinction harder to hear. For example, “what kind of stuff do you like” is often spoken quickly, blurring the line between singular and plural forms.
In writing, however, the distinction should always remain clear. Emails, essays, reports, and professional documents should follow the singular and plural rule strictly.
💡 Tip: When writing formally, pause before finishing your sentence and check whether the noun after “kind” or “kinds” is singular or plural.
Similar and Related Expressions
Several related phrases follow similar logic and are worth understanding alongside “kind of” and “kinds of.”
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
| All kinds of | Many different types | She has all kinds of hobbies. |
| Some kind of | An unspecified single type | It looked like some kind of error. |
| Different kinds of | Multiple distinct categories | There are different kinds of leadership styles. |
| One of a kind | Unique, unlike anything else | This painting is truly one of a kind. |
Notice that “all kinds of” and “different kinds of” always use the plural form, since they naturally imply variety. “Some kind of” stays singular because it refers to one unidentified type.
Why This Distinction Matters for Clear Communication
Getting singular and plural agreement right helps your sentences sound polished and intentional. Small grammar mistakes like this one can distract readers or listeners, even if the overall meaning still comes through.
In professional writing, subject and noun agreement reflects attention to detail. In casual conversation, using the correct form simply helps you sound more natural and confident.
This distinction also matters in search queries and everyday questions, since it shapes exactly what kind of answer someone expects to receive. A search for “what kind of cancer did Kate Middleton have” expects one specific diagnosis, while a search for “what kinds of cancer are there” expects a broader list.
Quick Reference Summary
Here is a simple way to remember the rule permanently.
✅ Use “what kind of” when the noun after it is singular or uncountable.
✅ Use “what kinds of” when the noun after it is plural.
✅ Ask yourself: “Am I expecting one answer or several?”
✅ One answer usually means singular, so use “kind of.”
✅ Several answers usually mean plural, so use “kinds of.”
This mental check works in nearly every situation, from casual texting to formal essays.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between what kind of and what kinds of?
“What kind of” pairs with a singular noun and asks about one type. “What kinds of” pairs with a plural noun and asks about multiple types.
Is “kind of” singular or plural?
“Kind” is singular. It should be followed by a singular or uncountable noun in most cases.
Is “kinds of” always followed by a plural noun?
Yes, “kinds of” is followed by a plural noun because “kinds” itself is plural and must agree with the noun after it.
Can “what kind of” ever be followed by a plural noun?
Generally, no. If the following noun is plural, “what kinds of” is the grammatically correct choice.
Is it correct to say “what kind of things”?
No, this mixes a singular phrase with a plural noun. The correct form is “what kinds of things,” since “things” is plural.
Why do people confuse these two phrases so often?
In fast, casual speech, the sounds of “kind of” and “kinds of” blend together, making them hard to distinguish by ear alone.
Does British English use these phrases differently than American English?
No, the singular and plural rule for “kind of” and “kinds of” is consistent across both British and American English.
Is “what type of” the same as “what kind of”?
Yes, “what type of” and “what kind of” are close synonyms and follow the same singular and plural agreement rules.
How can I quickly check which form to use?
Look at the noun immediately after “kind” or “kinds.” If it is singular, use “kind of.” If it is plural, use “kinds of.”
Is “kind of” used differently as a filler word in casual speech?
Yes, in informal speech, “kind of” can also mean “somewhat,” as in “I am kind of tired.” This is a separate, unrelated usage from the grammar rule discussed here.
Conclusion
The choice between what kind of and what kinds of comes down to a simple grammar rule: singular nouns pair with “kind of,” while plural nouns pair with “kinds of.” This pattern stays consistent whether you are asking about a single dog breed or an entire list of medical conditions. Once you recognize whether you expect one answer or several, choosing the correct phrase becomes automatic.
Paying attention to this small detail can make your questions clearer and your writing more polished. Whether you are speaking casually or writing something formal, matching “kind” or “kinds” to the noun that follows will always keep your sentence grammatically correct.
Zunaira Qasim is the author and creator of Gramvixo, dedicated to making English grammar easier for learners and everyday writers. With 4 years of experience researching grammar, confusing words, word choices, and common language mistakes, they create clear and practical content that helps readers understand English and use it with confidence.
