two types of apples or apple?

[atabitaraf]

I think being plural or singular is just for the first noun in these sentences, but sometimes the plural form of the main noun discussed (the second) seems more natural.

1. two kinds of apple OR two kinds of apples?
2. two herds of cow OR two herds of cows?
3. two types of software OR two types of softwares?
etc.

 

[Barb_D]

apples
cows
software - This does not have a plural form.

(There are some people here who insist on "two types of apple." I would never, ever say that.)

 

[MikeNewYork]

I am one of the people who would say "two kinds of apple". An apple is a thing and there are several types.
I would use cows in the second because each herd has multiple cows.
As Barb said, the only choice for 3 is "software".

 

[atabitaraf]

But I though when there are different types of fish, fruit, food, or software, we can use the plural forms fishes, fruits, foods, or softwares.
There are different foods in the menu.
There are different softwares.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Even though those words are usually uncountable, there are times when "fish", "fruit" and "food" can be pluralized to show that there a different types. I would draw the line at software, but there probably those who don't.