Kind of/Kinds of

Question

Hello everyone!I know there are lots of threads about this and that I was already explained the difference. I went back to reread that thread and on my way, I came across threads that confused me more than I was, help me please!:)What the difference between these?- I like this kind of post.              - I like these kind of post.- I like this kinds of post.- I like these kinds of post.What would happen if "post" were in plural in all the cases? Is there any difference at all? I've heard that it is acceptable too.This will take me ages to understand I think!Thanks in advance!

Ruslana · Accepted Answer

After reading [url=]this thread[/url], I became really confused, too. But this is what I could gather:

I like this kind of post. --> One kind; posts may be more than one as well as one.
Gramatically correct and preferred at an exam.

I like this kind of posts. --> One kind; posts are more than one.
Okay in a conversation, but doesn't accord with strict grammar rules. Not for an exam.

I like these kind of posts. --> One kind; posts are more than one.
Probably old-fashioned, but, nevertheless, not deemed right by some native speakers.

I like these kinds of posts. --> More than one kind; more than one post.
Correct. Implies many kinds and many posts.

Does that make any sense? A question to native speakers and teachers.

Kooyeen · Answer

Join the club, you guys!
I too have trouble with "kind(s) of thing(s)" but I never ask, because there are a lot of threads about this and I'd definitely get the same answers. Anyway, let me check something somewhere too, then I'll be back.

BarbaraPA · Answer

I would vote for this kind of singular and these kinds of plural

This kind is specific. I mean, I like THIS KIND of Godiva chocolate - the mocha center truffle with the dark chocolate coating. This one kind. It doesn't mean I hate all others, but I'm emphasizing the one in my hand (or on my computer screen, if we must talk about posts) at that moment.

These kinds inlcudes the one being discussed and other things that are similar. As I munch on just one of the many truffles in the Godiva box, I say "Oh, I do love these kinds of chocolates!"

Anyone else have a thought?

Kooyeen · Answer

Ok, I checked the net and that thread... it seems to me that what Ruslana said makes sense. Good job Lana!

I like this kind of post <-- ok
I like this kind of posts <-- it seems it's used this way too. Probably not correct according to prescriptive grammar, but anyway...
I like these kind of posts <--- ok, it seems quite a few people like it this way. Again, maybe not "correct" accrding to purists, but...
I like these kind of posts <--- ok

All the other combinations seem not common.
GG pointed out the best ways to express this. I use "kind" that way, for the simple reason that I don't know what might also sound good, and so I just want to play it safe.
Anyway, it would be interesting to know what is also possible to hear from native speakers and doesn't sound too odd. I'm sure GG definitely knows what the possible combinations are that are worth mentioning. Do you commonly hear any other combinations GG?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I like this kind of posts <-- it seems it's used this way too.

I can't recollect hearing this version at all.

Clive

Pucca · Answer

I am not sure if I understand it.

Does it mean that "these kind of" and "this kinds of" are incorrect gramatically but people still use it?

Can I write another example? This time with apples?

- I eat this kind of apple. --- It means that there is only one kind of apple you eat, you don't eat others, do you?
- I eat these kinds of apples --- Pointing with your finger couple of apples (red and green), it means that you don't eat apples with other colours, right?

So, if we want to play safe, we'd better use these two?

Thanks again!

CalifJim · Answer

- I eat this kind of apple. --- It means that there is only one kind of apple you eat, you don't eat others, do you? It means you eat this kind of apple -- just like it says. It doesn't say anything about other kinds of apples. Maybe you eat those, too, but you're not talking about other kinds of apples in this sentence.
- I eat these kinds of apples --- Pointing with your finger couple of apples (red and green), it means that you don't eat apples with other colours, right? Same as above. You are simply not talking about apples that you are not talking about, so nobody is going to know how you feel about other kinds of apples.

(You seem to think that if I say I love dogs that I must therefore hate cats! -- that if I like the color blue, I hate the color red -- that if I like people who are funny, I hate those who are serious!)

So, if we want to play safe, we'd better use these two? That's my conclusion, too!

CJ

Pucca · Answer

So, you are saying that if X happens, there is no need for Y to happen, aren't you?

I think I am starting to understand, but, not sure if it is..(wait, I have an idiomatic expression for this or I think it is)..crystal clear. (?)

So, there is no difference between them, it's just that one is singular and the other one is plural?

Which one is the most used one in a question?
What kind of shirt do you like most?
What kinds of shirts do you like most?

Thanks again!

CalifJim · Answer

Which one is the most used one in a question?
What kind of shirt do you like most?
What kinds of shirts do you like most?

I don't have any reliable statistics to say which is most used. Sorry!

This isn't a case of these and those (kinds), so I'd probably say one of the ones you suggested, or even What kind of shirts do you like most?

I'd expect an answer like:

This/That kind (of shirt).
or
These/Those kinds (of shirts).

Just for myself, personally, my objection is to these kind and those kind. what kind and what kinds are both fine as far as I'm concerned. I know there are many opinions about this.

CJ

Ruslana · Answer

CliveI like this kind of posts <-- it seems it's used this way too.

I can't recollect hearing this version at all.

Hi, Clive,

You mean you've not ever heard it in Canada? I think you read expressions like that in the EF. At least, I did, and they were used by natives. [:^)]

CalifJim- I eat this kind of apple.
- I eat these kinds of apples

So, if we want to play safe, we'd better use these two? That's my conclusion, too!

I'd agree but there's a little 'but' that confuses me. Probably that confusion comes from Russian because in this language, talking about different kinds of something (is it used right, by the way? -- different kinds of something? -- phew, from time to time my mind is like Windows: cannot do even a simple operation!), we usually use a singular 'kind' and a plural noun. So a verbatim translation from Russian would be 'I eat this kind of apples'. If I want to save this idea in English (one kind and more than one apple of this kind implied), does 'I eat this kind of apple' work for that? Is it ever possible to save that idea in English, or should we just use 'I eat this kind pf apple' and be happy with it?

Kind of/Kinds of

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions