“What kind of” and “what kinds of” are both correct expressions, but the choice depends on whether you are asking about one type or multiple types. This small difference can cause confusion because English speakers sometimes use both forms casually.
Use “what kind of” when asking about one type, category, or general nature of something. Use “what kinds of” when asking about multiple types or varieties. For example, “What kind of music do you like?” asks about a general category of music, while “What kinds of music do you listen to?” can ask about several genres or varieties.
The important point is that kind and kinds must agree with what you are asking about. However, in informal English, singular kind can sometimes be followed by a plural noun, especially when the question is about a general category. Understanding this distinction will help you choose the most natural form in everyday and formal writing.
Quick Answer
Use “what kind of” to ask about one type or a general category. Use “what kinds of” to ask about multiple types or varieties. For example, “What kind of food do you like?” asks generally, while “What kinds of food are available?” asks about several varieties.
Why People Confuse It
The confusion comes from the fact that kind can be used in both singular and general questions.
For example:
What kind of books do you read?
This is perfectly natural even though books is plural.
You can also say:
What kinds of books do you read?
This is grammatical too, but it puts more emphasis on different types or varieties of books.
So the difference is not simply:
Singular noun = kind
Plural noun = kinds
Instead, the important question is whether you are thinking about one category or multiple categories.
What Kind Of
What kind of is used when asking about the type, category, nature, or general variety of something.
Examples
What kind of music do you like?
What kind of car does she drive?
What kind of food do you prefer?
What kind of job are you looking for?
Even when the noun following the phrase is plural, what kind of can still be natural:
What kind of books do you enjoy?
Here, the speaker is asking about the general type of books the person enjoys.
What kind of + singular noun
This is especially straightforward:
What kind of car do you want?
What kind of movie is this?
What kind of person is he?
What kind of job would you like?
What Kinds Of
What kinds of is used when you are specifically asking about different types, varieties, or categories.
Examples
What kinds of books do you sell?
What kinds of animals live here?
What kinds of jobs are available?
What kinds of food are served at the restaurant?
The plural kinds emphasizes that there are multiple varieties.
For example:
What kinds of movies do you watch?
This can suggest that the speaker expects an answer such as:
I watch comedies, documentaries, thrillers, and science fiction movies.
Comparison Table
| Expression | Main Meaning | Typical Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| What kind of | What type or general category | One type or a general category | What kind of music do you like? |
| What kinds of | What types or varieties | Multiple types or categories | What kinds of music are popular here? |
A useful distinction is:
What kind of = what type?
What kinds of = what types?
When to Use Each
Use “what kind of” for a general category
What kind of music do you like?
You are asking about the person’s general musical preference.
Use “what kinds of” for several varieties
What kinds of music are available at the festival?
This suggests several genres or varieties.
Use “what kind of” with a singular noun
What kind of phone do you have?
What kind of teacher is she?
What kind of restaurant is it?
Use “what kinds of” with multiple categories
What kinds of phones are available?
What kinds of teachers work at the school?
What kinds of restaurants are in this area?
Both can work with plural nouns
This is where the distinction becomes important.
What kind of books do you read?
What kinds of books do you read?
Both are grammatically acceptable.
The first treats books as a general category.
The second emphasizes different types of books.
Examples of What Kind Of and What Kinds Of
- What kind of music do you listen to?
- What kinds of music are popular among young people?
- What kind of car are you looking for?
- What kinds of cars does the dealership sell?
- What kind of food do you like?
- What kinds of food are served here?
- What kind of books do you enjoy reading?
- What kinds of books are available in the library?
- What kind of job do you want?
- What kinds of jobs are available in this industry?
- What kind of movie is this?
- What kinds of movies do you usually watch?
- What kind of exercise do you enjoy?
- What kinds of exercises are included in the program?
- What kind of problems are you experiencing?
- What kinds of problems can this software solve?
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking “what kind of” must always be followed by a singular noun
This is not true.
You can say:
What kind of books do you read?
The plural noun books is perfectly acceptable.
Mistake 2: Thinking plural nouns always require “kinds”
Also incorrect.
What kind of books do you read?
is completely natural.
The choice depends on whether you are emphasizing a general category or multiple categories.
Mistake 3: Using “what kinds of” when only one category is intended
For example:
What kinds of car do you have?
This is incorrect because car is singular.
Correct:
What kind of car do you have?
Or:
What kinds of cars do you have?
Mistake 4: Forgetting subject verb agreement
Consider:
What kind of books is this?
If this refers to a single category, the structure can work depending on the intended meaning.
But:
What kinds of books are available?
uses are because the subject is plural.
Always consider the grammatical structure of the whole sentence rather than focusing only on kind.
Memory Trick
Use this simple rule:
Kind = one type
Kinds = multiple types
Think:
What kind of = What type of?
What kinds of = What types of?
For example:
What kind of food do you like?
means:
What type of food do you like?
While:
What kinds of food are available?
means:
What types of food are available?
However, remember that what kind of + plural noun is also common when you are asking about a general category.
American vs British English
There is no significant difference between American and British English in the basic use of what kind of and what kinds of.
Both varieties commonly use:
What kind of music do you like?
and:
What kinds of music do you listen to?
The singular form what kind of is especially common in general questions, even when the following noun is plural.
Similar Expressions
What type of vs what types of
These work similarly:
What type of music do you like?
What types of music are available?
Type is often interchangeable with kind in these constructions.
What sort of vs what sorts of
These are also similar:
What sort of books do you read?
What sorts of books are available?
Sort of is particularly common in British English, although it is also used in American English.
Which kind of vs what kind of
What kind of asks about the type or category:
What kind of car do you want?
Which kind of usually suggests that there are known or limited options:
Which kind of car do you prefer, the electric one or the hybrid?
Final Verdict
What kind of and what kinds of are both correct.
Use what kind of when asking about one type or a general category:
What kind of music do you like?
Use what kinds of when emphasizing multiple types or varieties:
What kinds of music are performed at the festival?
Remember that what kind of can naturally be followed by a plural noun:
What kind of books do you read?
So do not automatically change kind to kinds just because the noun is plural. The real difference is whether you are thinking about one general category or multiple categories.
FAQs
Is “what kind of” grammatically correct?
Yes. What kind of is a standard and very common English expression used to ask about a type, category, or general nature.
Is “what kinds of” grammatically correct?
Yes. What kinds of is also correct and is used when asking about multiple types or varieties.
Is it “what kind of books” or “what kinds of books”?
Both can be correct.
What kind of books do you read? asks about the general category.
What kinds of books do you read? emphasizes different types or varieties.
Is “what kind of” singular or plural?
Kind is grammatically singular, but what kind of can be followed by either a singular or plural noun depending on the intended meaning.
Is “what kinds of” always followed by a plural noun?
Usually, yes.
What kinds of books do you read?
The plural kinds normally goes with a plural noun.
Which is more natural, “what kind of” or “what kinds of”?
Neither is universally more natural. What kind of is extremely common for general questions, while what kinds of is useful when emphasizing multiple varieties.
Can I say “what kind of people”?
Yes.
What kind of people work here?
This is a very natural expression. It generally asks about the general type or characteristics of people.
Conclusion
The difference between what kind of and what kinds of is mainly about how you view the categories you are asking about. What kind of generally treats something as one type or a broad category, while what kinds of highlights multiple types or varieties.
The important thing to remember is that a plural noun does not automatically require kinds. Both “What kind of books do you read?” and “What kinds of books do you read?” are possible. Choose kind for a general category and kinds when you want to emphasize different categories.
Remember This
What kind of = what type of
What kinds of = what types of
A plural noun can follow “what kind of” when you are asking about a general category.
Nancy Lisa is a passionate writer and contributor at DrameyHut, focused on uncovering the deeper meanings behind dreams. She creates engaging and insightful content that helps readers interpret their dreams and understand their subconscious thoughts. Her work inspires self-reflection, clarity, and a stronger connection to inner emotions.
