The phrase kind of is a common and useful expression in everyday English. It can mean a type of (a noun phrase) or, more often in conversation, it works as a softener meaning slightly, somewhat, or in a way. This guide will show you exactly how to use kind of in a sentence with clear examples, explain the difference between its two main uses, and help you avoid common mistakes. Whether you are writing an email or having a casual chat, understanding kind of will make your English sound more natural.
Quick Answer: What Does “Kind Of” Mean?
Kind of has two main jobs in a sentence:
- As a noun phrase: It means “a type of” or “a variety of.” Example: “This is a kind of fruit I have never tried.”
- As an adverb (informal): It softens a statement and means “a little,” “somewhat,” or “sort of.” Example: “I am kind of tired today.”
In spoken English and informal writing, the adverb use is very common. In formal writing, it is better to use words like somewhat or rather.
Two Main Uses of “Kind Of”
1. “Kind Of” Meaning “A Type Of” (Noun Phrase)
This is the original, formal use. You can use it in any situation—conversation, email, or formal writing. It is always followed by a noun (or an adjective + noun).
- “What kind of music do you like?”
- “She bought a new kind of coffee machine.”
- “This is a strange kind of behavior for a cat.”
Note: In this use, you can also say types of or sorts of for variety.
2. “Kind Of” Meaning “Somewhat” or “Sort Of” (Adverb)
This is the informal, conversational use. It makes your statement less direct or less strong. It is very common in daily English but should be avoided in formal emails, academic writing, or professional reports.
- “I kind of like that movie.” (I like it, but not completely.)
- “He was kind of late to the meeting.” (He was a little late.)
- “This soup tastes kind of salty.” (It is a bit too salty.)
Important: When used as an adverb, kind of cannot be followed directly by a noun. You cannot say “I have kind of headache.” You must say “I have a kind of headache” (type) or “I kind of have a headache” (somewhat).
Comparison Table: Noun Phrase vs. Adverb
| Feature | “Kind of” as Noun Phrase | “Kind of” as Adverb |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A type of, a variety of | Somewhat, slightly, sort of |
| Formality | Formal and informal | Informal only |
| Followed by | A noun or adjective + noun | An adjective, verb, or adverb |
| Example | “That is a rare kind of bird.” | “I kind of agree with you.” |
| Can you replace it? | Yes: type of, sort of | Yes: somewhat, rather, a bit |
Natural Examples in Context
Here are examples that show how kind of sounds in real conversations and everyday writing.
In Casual Conversation
- “Are you hungry?” — “Yeah, kind of. I could eat a small snack.”
- “That new song is kind of catchy, isn’t it?”
- “I kind of forgot to bring my umbrella. I hope it doesn’t rain.”
In Emails (Informal to Semi-Formal)
- “I am kind of interested in the position, but I need to check my schedule first.” (Useful for a casual email to a colleague.)
- “We are kind of running out of time for this project.” (Better in a team chat than a formal report.)
- “This is a new kind of software we are testing.” (Noun phrase use, fine in any email.)
In Writing (Informal Blogs or Notes)
- “The ending of the book was kind of confusing.”
- “I need a different kind of charger for my phone.”
Common Mistakes with “Kind Of”
Learners often make these errors. Avoid them to sound more accurate.
Mistake 1: Using “Kind Of” Before a Noun (Adverb Use)
Incorrect: “I need kind of help.” (This sounds like you need a type of help, but the sentence is incomplete.)
Correct (noun phrase): “I need a kind of help that is not available.”
Correct (adverb): “I kind of need help.” (Meaning: I need help a little.)
Mistake 2: Forgetting the Article “A” Before the Noun Phrase
Incorrect: “This is kind of flower.”
Correct: “This is a kind of flower.”
Mistake 3: Using “Kind Of” in Formal Writing
Too informal: “The results were kind of surprising.”
Better for formal writing: “The results were somewhat surprising.” or “The results were rather surprising.”
Mistake 4: Confusing “Kind Of” with “Kinds Of”
Incorrect: “There are many kind of animals.”
Correct: “There are many kinds of animals.” (Use kinds of when talking about multiple types.)
Better Alternatives for “Kind Of” (When to Use Them)
Depending on the situation, you might want to replace kind of with a more precise word.
- Somewhat: Use in formal writing. “The plan is somewhat risky.”
- Rather: Slightly stronger than somewhat. “The movie was rather long.”
- A bit / A little: Very common in conversation. “I am a bit tired.”
- Sort of: Almost identical to kind of. “I sort of understand.”
- Type of: Use instead of kind of for variety in the noun phrase meaning. “What type of car do you drive?”
When to use “kind of”: Use it in casual conversation, friendly emails, and informal writing. Avoid it in academic papers, business reports, or formal letters.
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Choose the correct option or rewrite the sentence. Answers are below.
- Which sentence is correct?
a) I have kind of headache.
b) I have a kind of headache.
c) I kind of have a headache. - Rewrite this sentence for a formal report: “The data was kind of unclear.”
- Fill in the blank (noun phrase): “This is a new __________ software.”
- Is this sentence correct? If not, fix it: “She likes many kind of music.”
Answers
- c) I kind of have a headache. (Adverb use, meaning “a little.”) Option b is also correct but means “a type of headache.”
- “The data was somewhat unclear.” or “The data was rather unclear.”
- “kind of” (as a noun phrase: “a new kind of software”)
- Incorrect. Correct version: “She likes many kinds of music.”
FAQ: Common Questions About “Kind Of”
1. Is “kind of” always informal?
No. When it means “a type of” (noun phrase), it is neutral and can be used in formal writing. When it means “somewhat” (adverb), it is informal and best for conversation or casual writing.
2. Can I use “kind of” in an email to my boss?
It depends on your relationship. If you have a casual relationship, it is fine. For a formal email, use somewhat or rather instead. For example: “I am somewhat concerned about the deadline.”
3. What is the difference between “kind of” and “sort of”?
There is almost no difference. Both can be used as a noun phrase (“a kind/sort of”) or as an adverb (“kind/sort of tired”). Sort of is slightly more informal in some dialects, but they are usually interchangeable.
4. Can I use “kind of” in negative sentences?
Yes. For example: “I kind of don’t like spicy food.” (Meaning: I don’t like it very much.) However, this can sound a bit awkward. It is often clearer to say: “I don’t really like spicy food.”
Final Tips for Learners
To use kind of naturally:
- Use the noun phrase version (a kind of) in any situation.
- Use the adverb version (kind of = somewhat) only in informal settings.
- Listen to how native speakers use it in movies, podcasts, and conversations. You will hear it very often.
- When in doubt, replace the adverb use with a little or somewhat to be safer.
Practice using kind of in your own sentences. Start with the noun phrase meaning, then try the adverb meaning in casual speech. Over time, it will become a natural part of your English.
For more help with everyday English, explore our guides on Daily English Sentences and Common Usage Mistakes. If you have questions, feel free to contact us.
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