[Grammar] Various kinds of job[s]

[patran]

Dear teachers

When using the word 'kind', I always have some difficulty. Shall I write "three kinds of jobs" or "three kinds of job", the object "job", is it always plural unless it is uncountable? Or, both jobs and job are fine depending on the meaning?

Please advise

Anthony the learner

 

[RMislander]

With the word "jobs," you would say "three kinds of jobs" or "one kind of job."

As the second example shows, the object is not always plural.

 

[emsr2d2]

I would use "three kinds of job".

I have had three kinds of job - secretarial, administrative and managerial.

This falls under the same usage terms as "How many kinds of dog are there?", "How many types of tree exist?"

 

[RMislander]

I would use "three kinds of job".

I have had three kinds of job - secretarial, administrative and managerial.

This falls under the same usage terms as "How many kinds of dog are there?", "How many types of tree exist?"

Great point. "Three kinds of job" sounds awfully strange to the ear though. Maybe it's just me.

Also, is job always considered the category?

"Secretarial work involves many different kinds of jobs, such as dealing with clients, managing appointments, etc."

Here, the jobs in question are the members of a category, the duties of a secretarial worker.

 

[5jj]

Great point. "Three kinds of job" sounds awfully strange to the ear though.

COCA give 2,462 citations for 'kinds of [noun singular]' and 7,279 for 'kinds of [noun plural]'. The plural is therefore more common, but the singular is still pretty commonly used.

 

[emsr2d2]

Great point. "Three kinds of job" sounds awfully strange to the ear though. Maybe it's just me.

Also, is job always considered the category?

"Secretarial work involves many different kinds of jobs, such as dealing with clients, managing appointments, etc."

Here, the jobs in question are the members of a category, the duties of a secretarial worker.

I think it sounds a little odd because of the use of "kinds". Personally, I wouldn't actually use "kinds", I would say "types of job" or simply "I have had three different jobs" or "I have had three different job types". I'm sure others will disagree, though.

As far as "Secretarial work involves ..." I would simply say "Secretarial work involves [doing] many different jobs..." or "Secretarial work involves [doing] many different tasks ..."