If you’re unsure whether to say “what kind of” or “what kinds of,” you’re dealing with a very common English grammar question. Both expressions are correct, but the choice depends on whether you are talking about one type or multiple types. The difference is small, but using the right form makes your English sound more natural and precise.
What kind of is generally used when asking about one category or type, especially when the noun that follows is singular or when you are thinking about something as a general category. What kinds of is used when asking about multiple categories, varieties, or types. In everyday English, however, what kind of is also commonly used before plural nouns when the speaker is asking about a general category. Let’s look at the difference with simple rules, examples, and common mistakes.
Quick Answer
“What kind of” usually refers to one type or a general category, while “what kinds of” emphasizes multiple types or varieties. Both can sometimes be followed by plural nouns, so context and intended meaning determine the best choice.
Why People Confuse It
The confusion happens because kind can be singular or plural depending on what you want to express.
Compare:
- What kind of book do you like? → asking about a type of book.
- What kinds of books do you like? → asking about different types of books.
The important difference is:
kind = one type/category
kinds = multiple types/categories
However, native speakers often use “what kind of” with plural nouns when they mean “what type or types of.”
For example:
What kind of movies do you like?
This is completely natural, even though movies is plural.
What Kind Of: Meaning and Usage
What kind of is used to ask about the type, category, nature, or variety of something.
Singular noun
When followed by a singular countable noun, use:
What kind of + singular noun
Examples:
- What kind of car do you drive?
- What kind of music do you enjoy?
- What kind of food do you like?
- What kind of job are you looking for?
- What kind of person is he?
Plural noun
What kind of can also naturally appear before plural nouns when you’re asking generally about a category.
- What kind of books do you read?
- What kind of movies do you watch?
- What kind of shoes do you prefer?
- What kind of games do you play?
This usage is extremely common in everyday English.
What Kinds Of: Meaning and Usage
What kinds of emphasizes multiple types or varieties.
Examples:
- What kinds of books are available?
- What kinds of foods are popular there?
- What kinds of cars does the company manufacture?
- What kinds of problems can occur?
- What kinds of activities do you offer?
Here, the speaker is thinking about different categories or varieties, rather than one general category.
Compare:
What kind of books do you read?
This sounds like a general question about your reading preferences.
What kinds of books do you read?
This emphasizes the different varieties you read—for example, novels, biographies, history, and science fiction.
Both can be correct.
Comparison Table
| Expression | Main Meaning | Common Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| What kind of | What type/category | One type or general category | What kind of music do you like? |
| What kinds of | What types/varieties | Multiple types or categories | What kinds of music are popular? |
Simple rule
One type → what kind of
Multiple types → what kinds of
But remember that what kind of + plural noun is also perfectly natural when asking a broad, general question.
When to Use Each
Use “what kind of” when:
You’re asking about a general category or type.
What kind of car do you want?
You’re asking about someone’s general preference.
What kind of music do you listen to?
You’re treating different examples as belonging to one broad category.
What kind of books do you enjoy?
Use “what kinds of” when:
You want to emphasize different varieties or categories.
What kinds of books are sold here?
What kinds of services does the company provide?
What kinds of animals live in this area?
A useful clue is whether you could naturally replace kinds with types.
What kinds of books…?
= What types of books…?
Examples: What Kind Of vs What Kinds Of
- What kind of music do you like?
- What kind of food do you usually eat?
- What kind of car would you buy?
- What kind of person makes a good leader?
- What kind of job are you interested in?
- What kinds of books do you enjoy reading?
- What kinds of movies are popular among teenagers?
- What kinds of problems might students face?
- What kinds of products does this company sell?
- What kinds of activities are available for children?
- What kind of books are you looking for?
- What kinds of books are available in the library?
Notice that examples 6 and 11 can both be correct. The difference is mainly focus.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: “What kind of” + plural is always wrong
This is a common misconception.
❌ What kind of books do you like?
Actually, this sentence is correct and very natural.
You can also say:
✅ What kinds of books do you like?
The first is more general; the second puts greater emphasis on varieties.
Mistake 2: Using “kinds” for one specific type
If you’re referring to one specific category, singular kind is usually better.
What kind of coffee would you like?
You’re asking what type of coffee the person wants.
Mistake 3: Forgetting “of”
Standard questions use:
✅ What kind of music…?
Not:
❌ What kind music…?
Similarly:
✅ What kinds of books…?
Memory Trick
Remember:
KIND = TYPE
KINDS = TYPES
So:
What kind of = What type of
What kinds of = What types of
For example:
What kind of movie do you want?
= What type of movie?
What kinds of movies do you watch?
= What types of movies?
This makes the distinction much easier.
American vs British English
There is no major 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 both can use:
What kinds of music do you enjoy?
In both American and British English, what kind of + plural noun is common when asking about a broad category.
Therefore, this is not primarily an American-versus-British English issue. It is mainly about meaning, emphasis, and context.
Similar Words
Several expressions have similar meanings.
What type of
This is very close to what kind of.
What type of computer do you need?
What types of
This corresponds closely to what kinds of.
What types of computers are available?
What sort of
This is another common alternative, especially in British English.
What sort of music do you like?
What sorts of
This emphasizes different varieties.
What sorts of problems can occur?
Which kind of
Use which when you are choosing from known or limited possibilities.
Which kind of coffee would you like: black or latte?
What kind of vs which kind of
What kind of is generally more open-ended:
What kind of car do you want?
Which kind of suggests a limited selection:
Which kind of car do you want—the red one or the blue one?
FAQs
Is “what kind of” grammatically correct?
Yes. What kind of is completely correct and extremely common in English.
Is “what kinds of” correct?
Yes. What kinds of is correct when you want to emphasize multiple types, varieties, or categories.
Can I say “what kind of books”?
Yes. What kind of books do you read? is natural and grammatically acceptable.
Can I say “what kinds of books”?
Yes. What kinds of books do you read? is also correct. It emphasizes different varieties of books.
Which is better: “what kind of” or “what kinds of”?
Neither is always better. Use what kind of for a general type or category and what kinds of when emphasizing multiple varieties.
Is “what kind of” singular or plural?
Kind is singular, but what kind of can be followed by either a singular or plural noun depending on the intended meaning.
What is the difference between “what kind of” and “what type of”?
They usually mean the same thing. What kind of is generally more conversational, while what type of can sound slightly more formal.
Final Verdict
The difference between what kind of and what kinds of is mainly about singular versus multiple types. Use what kind of when you are asking about one general type, category, or nature. Use what kinds of when you want to highlight different types or varieties.
The important point is that “what kind of + plural noun” is not automatically wrong. Sentences such as “What kind of books do you read?” are perfectly natural. If you want to emphasize several distinct categories, however, “What kinds of books do you read?” makes that meaning clearer.
Remember This
What kind of = What type of
What kinds of = What types of
But don’t assume that a plural noun always requires kinds.
✅ What kind of books do you read? — general question
✅ What kinds of books do you read? — emphasizes varieties
Kind = category
Kinds = categories
Conclusion
Both what kind of and what kinds of are useful and correct English expressions. The main distinction is whether you’re thinking about a general type or multiple varieties. In everyday conversation, what kind of is especially common, even before plural nouns.
When you want to make the distinction clearer, replace kind with type and kinds with types. If you mean one general category, choose what kind of. If you mean several different categories, choose what kinds of. This simple approach will help you sound more natural and confident in both speaking and writing.
An expert in English grammar and expressive writing techniques.
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