Sort of, kind of

[borsbali]

Hello!

I would like to inquire (or enquire?) about some interesting rule I have experienced.

What is the difference?

- You can get any kind/sort of dishes there.
- There you can get dishes of any kind/any sort.

And another interesting usage:

- I sort of/kind of tried to understand what it was about.

It is always possible to use "kind of" OR "sort of" expressions before a verb. Is it official language?

Thank anybody that can be of some help.

Bye,

Balázs.

[baqarah131]

"dishes of any kind" and "any kind of dish" are similar or identical in meaning.

"kind of" is more common than "sort of" but they mean the same.

They should, by the rule, be followed by a singular noun, but this rule is not always followed.

Did you try hard? Well, I kind of tried..
Did you study for the test? Sort of.
Did you enjoy the movie? Kind of.

The general meaning is "yes, but not enough" or "yes, but not very much.
"kind of" and "sort of" are very, very, slang, and I'd expect to hear them mostly from young people.
I suggest you learn what they mean so you'll recognize them when you hear them.

regards
edward

Originally Posted by borsbali

Hello!

I would like to inquire (or enquire?) about some interesting rule I have experienced.

What is the difference?

- You can get any kind/sort of dishes there.
- There you can get dishes of any kind/any sort.

And another interesting usage:

- I sort of/kind of tried to understand what it was about.

It is always possible to use "kind of" OR "sort of" expressions before a verb. Is it official language?

Thank anybody that can be of some help.

Bye,

Balázs.

[Super Sonic]

Can you answer this question with "kind of." ?

-Do you know Japanese?

[borsbali]

Thanks a lot, baqarah131.

Balázs

[baqarah131]

Yes, it's slang, and it's really not a helpful answer.
I guess it means "yes, a little, not very well."

Remember this expression; you'll hear it, but I don't recommend that you use it.

By the way (btw), it's more common to say "Do you speak Japanese?" or "Do you know any Japanese?"

Originally Posted by Super Sonic

Can you answer this question with "kind of." ?

-Do you know Japanese?

[blouen]

Originally Posted by baqarah131

By the way (btw), it's more common to say "Do you speak Japanese?" or "Do you know any Japanese?"

Sort of.

I tend to use it for I hear it very often in movies.

So what do you suggest be a better alternative?