Kind / Kinds

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by jack

How come it doesn't work here?
1. What kind of friends do you have?
2. What kinds of friend do you have? (This doesn't make sense with that rule?)

Should they work?

[jack]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

Should they work?

They work? Is this an exception? What are some other exceptions?

Originally Posted by jack

I have spent quite some time on these but I can't figure out what exactly do they mean.

Are these correct? If not, why? What do they mean?

1. What kinds of chocolate do you have?
2. What kind of chocolates do you have?
3. What kinds of chocolates do you have?

2

[jack]

Originally Posted by padmaratna

2

So that is another exception? I don't get it, why?
Why not?
1. What kinds of chocolate do you know?

Instead of:
2. 1. What kind of chocolates do you know?

[Steven D]

Using Kind Of andSort Of





The expressions kind of or sort of to mean "rather," "partially," or "somewhat" are nonstandard.
__________________________________________________ __________

It's more accurate and realistic to say that theyare not typical of formal writing. Other than that, they're used all the time. __________________________________________________ __________







Both expressions literally mean "type of" or "variety of."

Incorrect: The child felt kind of lonely. - This is actually correct. There's nothing wrong with saying that.




Correct: The child felt somewhat (or rather) lonely. - This is also correct.

Correct: The kestrel is a kind of falcon.
(A type or variety of falcon)

http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000231.htm

There's nothing nonstandard about using "kind of" and "sort of" in in this way. One may not find them in formal writing, but that's obvious. I find it somewhat displeasing to always have to justify language that we commonly use by saying "but it wouldn't appear in formal writing". There is nothing wrong with using "kind of" and "sort of". There is nothing "nonstandard" about saying "It's kind of cloudy now." or "It's kind of cold in here." This is standard in everyday spoken English. The whole world of ESL/EFL students/learners are not using EAP (English for Academic Purposes), and neither am I.

Despite what this site says about "kind of" and "sort of", we can say "kind of " and "sort of". It is not incorrect language. If you want something that sounds more "serious", then use "somewhat" or "rather". I use those as well, but I still say "kind of".

[Steven D]

Originally Posted by jack

I have spent quite some time on these but I can't figure out what exactly do they mean.

Are these correct? If not, why? What do they mean?

1. What kinds of chocolate do you have?
2. What kind of chocolates do you have?
3. What kinds of chocolates do you have?

All three are correct. I think it's more usual to use "kind of". I would say, "What kind of chocolate do you have?"

This could mean more than one kind of chocolate just as "kinds of chocolate" could mean more than one kind of chocolate.

I think one would say either "chocolates" or "chocolate" in this case. It would depend on the expectations of the speaker. Would the speaker be expecting a variety of chocolates?

I never thought that "kind/kinds of" are that difficult to analyze.

[Steven D]

Originally Posted by vladz

I never thought that "kind/kinds of" are that difficult to analyze.

They're not difficult to analyze. I think "kind of" is more likely to be used than "kinds of".

What kind of chocoate do you have?

[jack]

Thanks.

What do these mean?
1. What kind of friends do you have?
2. What kinds of friend do you have?

[Steven D]

Originally Posted by jack

Thanks.

What do these mean?
1. What kind of friends do you have?
2. What kinds of friends do you have?

They mean the same thing to me. If someone uses "kinds", then the emphasis is on more than one type of friend. However, using "kind" could still be taken to mean more than one type of friend.


In the second sentence, "friend" should be plural.