Most English learners assume this comes down to singular versus plural, and pick “what kind of” for one noun and “what kinds of” for many. That rule works most of the time, but it breaks the moment you hit a sentence like “what kind of books do you read,” which sounds completely natural despite the plural noun.
The real answer depends on whether you are asking about one general category or several distinct varieties, not just on the noun that follows. Below is a full breakdown based on how native speakers, grammar references, and top ranking usage guides actually explain the distinction.
Quick Answer (What Kind of vs What Kinds of)
● What kind of asks about one type, category, or general nature of something.
● What kinds of asks about several types, categories, or varieties at once.
● Both phrases are grammatically correct in modern English.
● The noun that follows does not always decide which form is right; the intended meaning does.
● “Kind of” can sit before a plural noun (what kind of books) when you mean a general category rather than a list of separate types.
The Difference Between What Kind of and What Kinds of
“What kind of” treats kind as a singular noun, so the question focuses on one class of thing. “What kinds of” treats kinds as a plural noun, so the question expects an answer that names more than one category.
What Kind of Really Means?
You are asking the listener to describe one general classification, even if their answer could technically include several items within that classification.
What Kinds of Really Means?
You are inviting the listener to list separate, distinct categories, implying variety is expected in the response.
Why the Final Noun Is Not the Whole Story?
A countable plural noun such as books, movies, or friends can follow either “kind of” or “kinds of.” The difference sits in the speaker’s intent, not strictly in noun agreement, which is why rigid singular or plural rules often mislead learners.
When to Use What Kind of?
Use this form when you expect a single, general answer.
● What kind of car do you drive? (one general answer, e.g. a sedan)
● What kind of music do you like? (uncountable noun, general preference)
● What kind of advice did she give you? (one overall type of advice)
● What kind of books do you read? (a broad category, e.g. fiction, even though books is plural)
When to Use What Kinds of?
Use this form when you expect a list or a range of different categories.
● What kinds of vegetables grow well here? (implies more than one variety)
● What kinds of jobs are available in this field? (a spread of job categories)
● What kinds of problems did the team run into? (multiple distinct issues)
● What kinds of music do you listen to? (several genres, not one)
Comparison Table: Kind of vs Kinds of in Context
| Sentence | Main Idea | Expected Answer |
| What kind of music do you like? | One general category | A single genre or style |
| What kinds of music do you listen to? | Several varieties | A list of genres |
| What kind of book are you reading? | One book, general type | Fiction, biography, etc. |
| What kinds of books do you recommend? | Multiple categories | A range of genres or titles |
| What kind of food do you enjoy? | Broad, general preference | A cuisine or style |
| What kinds of food does the menu offer? | Variety on offer | Several dish categories |
The Grammar Logic Behind Kind and Kinds
Kind functions as a singular countable noun, so it naturally pairs with singular verb agreement and often with singular determiners like this or that. Kinds is its plural form, so it pairs with these, those, and plural verb agreement.
With countable nouns, kind of usually stays close to a singular reading, while kinds of leans toward plural reading. With uncountable nouns such as music, advice, or information, both kind and kinds can appear, and the meaning shifts toward “types” or “varieties” of that uncountable substance rather than separate countable items.
Kind of and Kinds of With Demonstrative Pronouns
A common slip happens when speakers mismatch the demonstrative pronoun with kind or kinds.
● Correct: this kind of problem, that kind of situation
● Correct: these kinds of problems, those kinds of situations
● Incorrect: these kind of problems, this kinds of situation
Keeping the demonstrative pronoun and the noun form aligned (singular with singular, plural with plural) removes one of the most frequent grammar mistakes tied to this topic.
What Kind of Books or What Kinds of Books?
This exact phrase is one of the most searched comparisons, and both versions are correct.
What Kind of Books Do You Read?
This asks about your general reading preference, such as fiction, nonfiction, or mystery, treated as one broad category.
What Kinds of Books Do You Read?
This asks you to name several different categories you enjoy, expecting a wider list in response.
Are Both Forms Correct?
Yes. Native speakers use “what kind of books” constantly in casual conversation, and grammar guides confirm that a plural noun after “kind of” is acceptable when the question targets one overall category.
Kind of vs Kinds of in Spoken English and Written English
In everyday conversation, “what kind of” is used far more often, even with plural nouns, because speakers usually want a quick, general answer rather than a full list. In formal or academic writing, “what kinds of” appears more frequently when the author deliberately wants to highlight range, diversity, or multiple categories within a study or argument. Neither form is more correct; the register simply changes how often each one shows up.
Which Kind of vs What Kind of
“Which kind of” asks the listener to choose from a known, limited set of options, while “what kind of” is open ended and does not assume the listener already knows the choices. For example, “which kind of ticket do you want, standard or premium” narrows the field, while “what kind of ticket do you want” leaves it open.
What Kind of or What Kinds of With Common Nouns
| Noun | With Kind of | With Kinds of |
| Food | General cuisine preference | Several dish categories |
| Music | One genre in mind | Multiple genres |
| Movie | A general film type | A range of film genres |
| Job | One career field | Several career paths |
| Car | A general vehicle type | Several vehicle categories |
How to Answer Questions That Start With Kind Of or Kinds Of?
When someone asks “what kind of,” a short, single category answer usually fits the question, such as “action movies” or “classical music.” When someone asks “what kinds of,” a fuller answer that lists two or more categories reads as more complete, such as “action, comedy, and documentaries.”
Common Mistakes With Kind of and Kinds of
● Assuming every plural noun automatically requires kinds of.
● Mixing demonstrative pronouns, such as these kind of or this kinds of.
● Dropping the word “of” entirely, as in “what kind books.”
● Treating kind and kinds as always interchangeable regardless of meaning.
● Ignoring the speaker’s intended meaning and relying only on the noun’s form.
What Kind of vs What Type of vs What Sort of
Type and sort function almost identically to kind in these questions. What type of and what sort of both ask about a general category, while what types of and what sorts of ask about multiple categories, following the exact same singular and plural logic as kind and kinds.
They are largely interchangeable, with sort sounding slightly more common in British English and type feeling more neutral across both American and British usage.
What Kind of vs What Kinds of in American English
American speakers use “what kind of” heavily in daily speech, often before plural nouns, without it sounding wrong. “What kinds of books” is also natural in American English, particularly in writing, interviews, or when the speaker wants to signal variety.
There is no strict American versus British split on this rule; both varieties follow the same underlying logic, with everyday speech leaning toward flexibility.
Easy Way to Remember the Difference
Think “one general category” for kind of, and “several separate categories” for kinds of. Before you speak or write, ask yourself whether you expect one type of answer or a list of different types, and let that decide the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “what kind of” grammatically correct?
Yes, it is a standard, widely used construction in both spoken and written English.
Is “what kinds of” grammatically correct?
Yes, it is equally correct and used when multiple categories are expected in the answer.
What is the difference between what kind of and what kinds of?
Kind of asks about one general category, while kinds of asks about several distinct types.
Can you say “what kind of books”?
Yes, this is natural when you mean a general reading preference rather than a list.
Can “what kind of” be used with plural nouns?
Yes, it works when the question targets one broad category despite the plural noun.
Should I say “what kind of food” or “what kinds of food”?
Use kind of for a general preference and kinds of when you expect several different cuisines.
Is “what kinds of” always plural?
Yes, it consistently expects a plural, multi category answer.
Is “what kind of” the same as “what type of”?
Yes, they are interchangeable, with type sounding slightly more formal or neutral.
Conclusion
Use “what kind of” when you mean one general type or category, and “what kinds of” when you want to highlight multiple types or varieties.
When a plural noun follows, do not assume kinds of is automatically required; context and intended meaning decide the correct form, and “what kind of books” remains completely natural English.
