If you’ve ever hesitated mid-sentence wondering whether to say “what kind of” or “what kinds of,” you’re not alone. Even fluent English speakers trip up here sometimes. Both phrases are correct, but they’re not always interchangeable and knowing the difference can instantly make your English sound sharper.
This guide will walk you through the meaning, grammar rules, usage tips, and plenty of real-life examples so you’ll never have to second-guess again.
What Does “What Kind of” Mean?
In its simplest form, “what kind of” is used when you’re talking about one category, type, or variety of something. It’s singular in meaning and often pairs with uncountable nouns or singular countable nouns.
Think of it as zooming in on one specific type. You’re not asking about multiple options; you’re asking about a single classification.
Example:
- “What kind of music do you like?”
(Here, “music” is uncountable, so we use “kind” in the singular form.) - “What kind of book is this?”
(You’re asking about one specific type of book.)
In grammar terms, what kind of meaning can be thought of as:
Asking for a category rather than a list of individual items.
What Does “What Kinds of” Mean?
Now let’s widen the lens. “What kinds of” is plural, and it’s used when you’re talking about more than one type or multiple categories of something.
Example:
- “What kinds of fruits do you sell?”
(You expect an answer listing several fruits apples, bananas, mangoes, etc.) - “What kinds of movies do you enjoy?”
(You’re looking for multiple genres like comedy, action, and drama.)
So, what kinds of meaning can be summed up as:
Asking for several categories or different types.
The Core Grammar Difference
Here’s where the difference between what kind of and what kinds of becomes crystal clear:
| Phrase | Used With | Implies | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| what kind of | Singular countable nouns / uncountable nouns | One type or category | What kind of tea is this? |
| what kinds of | Plural countable nouns | Multiple types or categories | What kinds of teas do you have? |
Simple Rule to Remember
If the noun after “of” is singular or uncountable, use what kind of.
If the noun after “of” is plural, use what kinds of.
Why People Get Confused
English learners often overthink this because both forms can refer to types. The tricky part is that in everyday conversation, native speakers sometimes bend the rules especially in informal speech.
Example:
- Strict grammar: “What kinds of music do you like?” (plural “kinds” with uncountable “music” is unusual but acceptable in casual talk.)
- Informal usage: “What kind of music do you like?” (more common and natural in speech.)
Everyday Examples: “What Kind of” in Sentences
Here are examples of what kind of in sentences that feel natural in real life:
- “What kind of car does Sarah drive?”
- “What kind of help do you need with your homework?”
- “What kind of tea do you prefer, green or black?”
- “What kind of job are you looking for?”
- “What kind of phone is that?”
Notice how in all these cases, you’re talking about one category or type, not multiple.
Everyday Examples: “What Kinds of” in Sentences
Now compare with examples of what kinds of in sentences:
- “What kinds of sports are played in your school?”
- “What kinds of books does Emma read?”
- “What kinds of flowers grow best in your garden?”
- “What kinds of skills are employers looking for?”
- “What kinds of desserts are served here?”
In these examples, the answer would naturally list several types.
Singular vs Plural Nouns in English
Understanding singular vs plural nouns in English makes this rule easier.
- Singular nouns refer to one thing (cat, book, idea).
- Plural nouns refer to more than one thing (cats, books, ideas).
- Uncountable nouns (water, advice, music) don’t usually take a plural form.
What kind of is your go-to for singular or uncountable nouns.
What kinds of is correct for plural nouns.
How to Know Which One to Use
Here’s a quick test:
- Look at the noun after “of.”
- Ask: “Is it singular or plural?”
- Use kind for singular/uncountable, kinds for plural.
Example:
- “What kind of furniture is in the living room?” → Furniture = uncountable, so kind.
- “What kinds of chairs are available?” → Chairs = plural, so kinds.
Uncountable Nouns with “What Kind of”
This is where learners often make mistakes. Uncountable nouns like “water,” “information,” and “music” always stay singular, so use what kind of.
Correct:
- “What kind of information do you need?”
- “What kind of music is this?”
Incorrect:
- “What kinds of information do you need?” (sounds unnatural in formal writing, though used in casual speech)
Collective Nouns and “What Kind of”
Collective nouns in English like “team,” “family,” or “committee” are treated as singular in American English. So you’d say:
- “What kind of team is this?” ✅
- “What kinds of teams are competing?” ✅ (plural here because “teams” is plural)
Asking Specific vs Broad Questions
Common Grammar Mistakes with “What Kind of”
- Using kinds when referring to a singular noun:
- ❌ “What kinds of cake do you want?” → Should be kind unless you mean different cake types.
- Forgetting to match the verb form:
- ❌ “What kind of movies is popular?” → Should be are because “movies” is plural.
Common Grammar Mistakes with “What Kinds of”
- Using kinds with an uncountable noun in formal contexts.
- ❌ “What kinds of water do you drink?” → Better: “What kind of water do you drink?”
- Mixing singular and plural inconsistently:
- ❌ “What kinds of movie is this?” → Noun and verb must match in number.
Correct Use of “What Kind of” and “What Kinds of”
The correct use of what kind of always follows this pattern:
what kind of + singular countable noun / uncountable noun
The correct use of what kinds of always follows this pattern:
what kinds of + plural countable noun
Which Type of vs What Kind of
Some learners replace what kind of with which type of and that’s fine, but there’s a nuance:
- Which type of suggests a limited set of known options.
- What kind of is more open-ended.
Example:
- “Which type of coffee do you want espresso or cappuccino?” (specific options)
- “What kind of coffee do you like?” (open-ended, any type)
Using “What Kinds of” for Multiple Categories
Sometimes you want to explore a range of possibilities:
- “What kinds of hobbies do you enjoy?”
- “What kinds of apps do you use daily?”
This tells the listener you’re expecting more than one answer.
Everyday Conversation Tips
Here’s how you might hear this in casual talk:
Anna: “What kind of TV shows do you like?”
Mark: “I’m into crime dramas.”
Anna: “Oh nice! What kinds of crime dramas? True crime or fictional?”
Notice how Mark’s answer to the first question is singular-focused, but Anna’s follow-up shifts to plural categories.
What Kinds of vs Which Types Of
The phrase what kinds of vs which types of is more about tone and context. “What kinds of” is conversational, while “which types of” can feel formal or specific.
Example:
- Friendly: “What kinds of pets do you have?”
- Formal: “Which types of services does your company offer?”
Final Quick Examples
- “What kind of shoes are these?” ✅ (specific)
- “What kinds of shoes do you sell?” ✅ (multiple options)
- “What kind o car is that?” (typo but worth noting always use kind of with a space!)
Quick Reference Table
| Situation | Correct Phrase |
|---|---|
| Talking about one category | What kind of |
| Talking about multiple categories | What kinds of |
| Noun is singular countable | What kind of |
| Noun is plural countable | What kinds of |
| Noun is uncountable | What kind of |
Conclusion
The difference between what kind of and what kinds of boils down to singular vs plural thinking. Use what kind of when focusing on a single category or uncountable noun, and what kinds of when asking about multiple categories.
With these rules, plus the what kind of vs what kinds of examples we’ve covered, you’ll be able to spot the right form instantly whether you’re writing a formal email or chatting with a friend.
