When asking about the type or category of something, you may wonder whether to say “what kind of” or “what kinds of.” Both expressions are correct, but they are used differently. The key difference is whether you are asking about one type or more than one type.
For example, “What kind of music do you like?” asks about a general type of music, while “What kinds of music do you like?” asks about multiple types or categories.
Although the difference seems small, choosing the right expression can make your English sound clearer and more natural. In this guide, you will learn when to use what kind of and what kinds of, how singular and plural nouns affect the choice, and which common mistakes to avoid.
Quick Answer
“What kind of” is normally used when asking about one type, category, or general nature of something. “What kinds of” is used when asking about multiple types or categories. For example, “What kind of books do you read?” can ask generally about your preferred type, while “What kinds of books do you read?” emphasizes several different types.
Why Do People Confuse “What Kind Of” and “What Kinds Of”?
The confusion happens because both expressions ask about types or categories.
The difference is mainly the number of categories you have in mind:
- What kind of → one kind, type, or general category
- What kinds of → two or more kinds, types, or categories
Compare:
What kind of food do you like?
This can mean, “What type of food do you generally like?”
What kinds of food do you like?
This suggests that you may like several types of food, such as Italian, Mexican, Chinese, or Indian food.
There is also an important point: “what kind of” can be used with plural nouns when it refers to a general category.
What Does “What Kind Of” Mean?
“What kind of” asks about a particular type, category, or general nature.
The basic structure is:
What kind of + noun + …?
Examples
- What kind of car do you want?
- What kind of music do you listen to?
- What kind of books do you enjoy?
- What kind of people work here?
- What kind of job are you looking for?
Notice that the noun after “what kind of” can be singular or plural.
“What Kind Of” With a Singular Noun
Use it when asking about one type or category:
- What kind of movie is this?
- What kind of phone do you have?
- What kind of student is he?
“What Kind Of” With a Plural Noun
It can also introduce a plural noun when you are asking about a general category:
- What kind of books do you like?
- What kind of shoes do you usually wear?
- What kind of games do you play?
Here, “kind” does not necessarily mean exactly one item. It can refer to a general type.
What Does “What Kinds Of” Mean?
“What kinds of” is the plural form. It asks about multiple types or categories.
The structure is:
What kinds of + plural noun + …?
Examples
- What kinds of books do you read?
- What kinds of movies do you enjoy?
- What kinds of food are available?
- What kinds of jobs interest you?
- What kinds of animals live there?
The plural “kinds” makes the idea of multiple categories more explicit.
For example:
What kinds of books do you read?
Possible answer:
I read mystery, science fiction, history, and fantasy books.
The question naturally allows for several categories.
What Kind Of vs. What Kinds Of: Comparison Table
| Expression | Main idea | Typical noun | Example |
| What kind of | One type or a general category | Singular or plural | What kind of music do you like? |
| What kinds of | Multiple types or categories | Usually plural | What kinds of music do you like? |
| What kind of + singular noun | One type/category | Singular | What kind of car is it? |
| What kind of + plural noun | General type/category | Plural | What kind of books do you read? |
| What kinds of + plural noun | Several types/categories | Plural | What kinds of books do you read? |
When Should You Use “What Kind Of”?
Use “what kind of” when you are interested in a particular type or are asking generally about the nature or category of something.
Use it for a general question
- What kind of music do you like?
- What kind of food do you prefer?
- What kind of books interest you?
These questions do not necessarily limit the answer to only one item.
Use it with a singular noun
- What kind of car is that?
- What kind of animal is this?
- What kind of problem are you facing?
Use it when the category is the main focus
- What kind of person is she?
- What kind of weather should we expect?
- What kind of experience was it?
When Should You Use “What Kinds Of”?
Use “what kinds of” when you want to emphasize multiple types, varieties, or categories.
Examples
- What kinds of books do you enjoy?
- What kinds of sports do you play?
- What kinds of problems can this cause?
- What kinds of careers are available?
- What kinds of plants grow here?
The plural “kinds” makes the question clearly open to several categories.
What Kind Of vs. What Kinds Of: 10+ Examples
1. Books
What kind of books do you read?
→ A general question about your preferred type of books.
What kinds of books do you read?
→ A question that may invite several categories.
2. Music
What kind of music do you like?
→ What type or style of music do you like?
What kinds of music do you like?
→ Which different styles or genres do you like?
3. Food
What kind of food do you want?
What kinds of food do you usually eat?
Both are grammatical; the second emphasizes variety.
4. Movies
What kind of movie should we watch?
What kinds of movies do you usually watch?
The first can suggest choosing one type of movie. The second asks about multiple movie categories.
5. Jobs
What kind of job are you looking for?
What kinds of jobs are available?
6. Animals
What kind of animal is that?
What kinds of animals live in this area?
7. Questions
What kind of question is this?
What kinds of questions might appear on the test?
8. Games
What kind of game do you want to play?
What kinds of games do you enjoy?
9. Weather
What kind of weather do you like?
What kinds of weather can occur in this region?
10. Problems
What kind of problem are you having?
What kinds of problems can this system cause?
11. People
What kind of person is he?
What kinds of people usually attend the event?
12. Shoes
What kind of shoes should I wear?
What kinds of shoes are suitable for hiking?
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking “What Kind Of” Can Only Be Followed by a Singular Noun
This is incorrect.
You can say:
What kind of books do you like?
The plural noun “books” is perfectly acceptable.
Mistake 2: Using “Kinds” When You Mean One Category
If you are asking about one general type, “what kind of” is often more natural.
What kind of car is that?
This asks for the category or type of car.
Mistake 3: Forgetting That “What Kinds Of” Usually Takes a Plural Noun
Avoid:
❌ What kinds of book do you read?
Usually, write:
✅ What kinds of books do you read?
Mistake 4: Assuming One Form Is Always More Correct
Neither expression is automatically better.
The choice depends on what you mean:
- kind → singular/general category
- kinds → multiple categories
A Simple Memory Trick
Remember:
ONE TYPE → WHAT KIND OF
MANY TYPES → WHAT KINDS OF
For example:
What kind of cake is this?
One category.
What kinds of cake are available?
Several varieties.
A useful shortcut is to focus on kind, not necessarily the noun that follows it.
American vs. British English
There is no major American-versus-British English difference in the basic use of “what kind of” and “what kinds of.”
Both forms are standard in American and British English.
You may hear:
What kind of books do you read?
and:
What kinds of books do you read?
in both varieties of English.
The choice is primarily about meaning and emphasis, rather than geography.
Similar Words and Expressions
Several expressions have meanings close to “what kind of” and “what kinds of.”
What type of
This is very similar to “what kind of.”
What type of music do you enjoy?
It can sound slightly more formal in some contexts.
What sort of
“What sort of” is especially common in British English but is also understood elsewhere.
What sort of books do you enjoy?
Which type of
This can be useful when choosing from known possibilities.
Which type of computer is better for this task?
What category of
This is more formal and is often used in technical or academic contexts.
What category of product does this belong to?
Final Verdict
“What kind of” and “what kinds of” are both correct. The main distinction is whether you are referring to one type/general category or multiple types/categories.
Use “what kind of” for a singular type or a broad, general question. Use “what kinds of” when you want to clearly emphasize several different varieties or categories.
One important point is that “what kind of” can be followed by a plural noun, so the plural noun itself does not automatically require “what kinds of.”
FAQs
Is “what kind of” grammatically correct?
Yes. “What kind of” is a standard English expression used to ask about a type, category, or nature of something.
Is “what kinds of” correct?
Yes. “What kinds of” is the plural form and is used when asking about multiple types or categories.
Can “what kind of” be used with plural nouns?
Yes. For example, “What kind of books do you read?” is grammatically correct and natural.
What is the difference between “what kind of” and “what kinds of”?
“What kind of” usually focuses on one type or a general category, while “what kinds of” emphasizes multiple types or categories.
Which is correct: “What kind of books” or “what kinds of books”?
Both can be correct. “What kind of books” is often a general question, while “what kinds of books” more clearly suggests several categories.
Is “what kind of” singular or plural?
“Kind” is grammatically singular, but the noun that follows can be singular or plural depending on the sentence.
Is “what kinds of” more formal?
No. “What kinds of” is not inherently more formal. It simply emphasizes multiple types.
Remember This
- What kind of = one type or a general category
- What kinds of = multiple types or categories
- What kind of can be followed by a plural noun
- What kinds of normally takes a plural noun
- Neither expression is automatically “more correct”
- Choose the form based on the meaning you want to express
Conclusion
The difference between “what kind of” and “what kinds of” is simple once you focus on the idea of number. “What kind of” refers to one type or asks about something generally, while “what kinds of” highlights multiple types or categories. Both are common and grammatically correct.
When you are unsure, ask yourself whether you are thinking about one category or several categories. For one or general category, use “what kind of.” For several varieties, use “what kinds of.” And remember that “what kind of books” is perfectly acceptable, so the plural noun alone does not determine the answer.
Branson Calix is a creative blogging author known for writing clear, engaging, and informative articles.
He shares insights on lifestyle, digital trends, and personal growth with a modern perspective.
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