Type vs Kind
The difference between type and kind is subtle which makes it difficult for people to understand how one term changes from the other. In other words, type and kind are two words in English language that are often confused when it comes to their meanings. However, it is important to know that they have some difference between them. They both refer to a group of something. The main difference of the two can be the context in which they are used. Kind is used in general, everyday parlance without much thought and problem. Type can be used in that sense too. However, when it comes to writing, type is used more than kind as kind has a colloquial ring to it.
What does Type mean?
Type is used in the sense of ‘sub-division’ or ‘category’. It is important to know that the word type is usually followed by the preposition ‘of’ as in the sentence given below.
This type of car is very expensive indeed.
In this sentence, you can see that the word type is followed by the preposition ‘of’ and is used with the noun in singular. At the same time, you can see that here we are referring to a sub-category of cars. When you take the term car, there are different varieties of cars. Here, we are referring to one such type among all other types.
At the same time, when the noun with which the word type is used is in the plural, then the word type also should be used in plural as in the sentence given below.
These types of cars are very expensive indeed.
The word car is in its plural form in the above sentence. In the same way, the word type is also in its plural form. This is an important observation when it comes to the usage of the word type.
The word type has a very famous informal usage as well. Type is also used to describe the category of people one finds attractive or like. For example,
She is not my type. She is too serious.
Here, someone is telling that he does not like this particular girl. That is because she is serious. By saying she is not my type, he indicates that the girls he likes or finds attractive are those who are not very serious. Here again we are talking about a sub-division of the whole of females which is a part from the whole. This part from the whole is the group he finds attractive or likable.
This type of car is very expensive indeed.
What does Kind mean?
On the other hand, the word kind is used in the sense of ‘sort’ as in the sentences given below.
What kind of a person you are!
This kind of book is good to read.
In the first sentence, the word kind is used in the sense of ‘sort.’ Therefore, the meaning of the sentence would be ‘what sort of a person you are!’ Then, in the second sentence, the word kind is again used in the sense of ‘sort.’ So, the meaning of the sentence would be ‘this sort of book is good to read’.
With kind too, if the noun with which it is used is plural, then the word kind should also become plural. Look at the following example.
She found all kinds of drapes in that shop.
Here, kind is used with the noun drapes. The word drapes is the plural of drape. As a result, the word kind is also in the plural form.
Sometimes the word kind is used as a vague form as in sentences. Look at the examples given below.
Her eyes are kind of bluish-black.
This movie is kind of a thriller.
You can observe that, in both the sentences given above, the word kind is used in a vague form. Such a form is normally used in spoken English rather than in written English.
She found all kinds of drapes in that shop.
What is the difference between Type and Kind?
• Type is used in the sense of ‘sub-division’ or ‘category’. On the other hand, the word kind is used in the sense of ‘sort.’
• Both type and kind have to agree with the noun they are used with. If the accompanying noun is in singular, type and kind are in singular. If the accompanying noun is in plural, type and kind are in plural.
• Type informally refers to the sort of person one likes or finds attractive. Kind does not have such an informal usage.
• From the two words type is more formal than kind. You will find people using type more in writing but kind less. Kind is very much used in speech.
• Type is always focused on what someone means by using the word. Kind can sometimes be used vaguely.
These are the differences between the two words, type and kind.
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