Kind / Kinds
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padmaratna
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jack said:
2
Using Kind Of andSort Of
The expressions kind of or sort of to mean "rather," "partially," or "somewhat" are nonstandard.
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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."
The expressions kind of or sort of to mean "rather," "partially," or "somewhat" are nonstandard.
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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. - :arrow: This is actually correct. There's nothing wrong with saying that.
Correct: The child felt somewhat (or rather) lonely. - :arrow: 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".
Correct: The child felt somewhat (or rather) lonely. - :arrow: 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".
jack said:
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?
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vladz
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I never thought that "kind/kinds of" are that difficult to analyze.
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.jack said:
In the second sentence, "friend" should be plural.
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Only use number 2.jack said:
It's not logical for "kinds" to be plural and "car" to be singular. The noun "car" is countable.
What kinds of fruit do you have? What kind of fruit do you have?
What kinds of fish do you have? What kind of fish do you have?
I believe I would use "kind" most of the time in my speaking.
If there is some sort of rule that calls using "kind" and not "kinds" informal, I'm not aware of it.
What kind of food do you like? food - not countable
What kind of vegetables do you like? - vegetables - countable - Use the plural form.
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1. What kinds of friend do you have? (I don't get it. So is this wrong? Why does it have to be plural?)
Are these correct? What do these mean?
2. What kind of presents do you have? (Asking about the same types of presents?)
5. What kind of present do you have? (Asking about one present?)
What do these mean? I can't figure out the difference in meaning between them.
3. What kinds of presents do you have?
4. What kinds of present do you have? (If this is correct, why isn't #1 correct?)
5. What kinds of car do you have?
6. What kindsof cars do you have?
7. These kinds of film are popular.
8. These kinds of films are popular.
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AintFoolin
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1 is incorrect, in needs to be 'friends'. You can't have more than one kind of friend if you only have one friend
2 & 5 are correct afaik, but 5 is pretty odd
2 assumes all the presents are of the same type
5 is asking about just one present
4 is incorrect for the same reason 1, if you're going to use kinds, you have to use presents. One present cannot be of two or more kinds.
5b is incorrect for the same reason as 1 and 4
2 & 5 are correct afaik, but 5 is pretty odd
2 assumes all the presents are of the same type
5 is asking about just one present
4 is incorrect for the same reason 1, if you're going to use kinds, you have to use presents. One present cannot be of two or more kinds.
5b is incorrect for the same reason as 1 and 4
1. What kinds of car do you have? (So this means you have differents kinds of car parts? What does this sentence mean?)
Are these correct? If not, why? What do they mean?
2. This means you have differents kinds of car parts of car. (I don't have a determiner between 'of' and 'car', does that mean 'car' is uncountable here? 'Car' as in not a whole car? What does this sentence mean?)
3. This means you have differents kinds of car parts of a car. (Car parts from one car?)
4. This means you have differents kinds of car parts of cars? (Car parts from many cars?)
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AintFoolin
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jack said:
your numbering is screwed up, you listed two sentences as '5'
if you notice, i said:
> 5b is incorrect for the same reason as 1 and 4
when i said 5 was ok, i was referring to this sentence of yours:
> 5. What kind of present do you have?
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