The words Kind and Type are very common words that are used in the writings and in the speeches. People use both of the words on daily basis in order to transfer the information from one person to the other.
While using these two words, people must know the exact meaning of these words and their usage. These two words appear to be similar but are different from each other in the manner they are to be used.
Key Takeaways
- “Kind” and “Type” refer to categories or groups of things with similar characteristics.
- “Kind” categorizes things based on their natural or inherent qualities.
- “Type” is used to classify things based on their specific characteristics, features, or functions.
Kind vs Type
The difference between Kind and Type is that Kind is used in the sense of sort whereas Type is used to show the sub-division or the category.
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Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Kind | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Kind is used to express the sense of sort. | Type is used to show category or a sub-division within a bigger or whole thing. |
| Usage | Kind can’t be used in situations to informally refer to something or someone. | Type can also be used in situations to informally refer to a person or something. |
| Preference | Kind is more preferred in speeches than writing. | Type is more preferred in writing than speeches. |
| Formality | Kind is less formal than type. | Type is more formal than kind. |
| Example | What kind of laptop is this? | These types of laptops are in huge demand and have become famous in no time due to their high internal memory capacity. |
What is Kind?
The word Kind is used in the English language to express the sense of sort. The use of preposition ‘of’ after the word ‘kind’ give the sentences a complete meaning.
For example, ‘What kind of laptop is this?’. In this sentence, the word kind has a sense of ‘sort’ in it. This sentence could alternatively be read as ‘What sort of laptop is this?’.
The word Kind sounds less formal than the word Type. This word is used more in the speeches than in the writings. The word Kind can also be used as a vague form as in the sentences. For example, ‘This movie is kind of a thriller.’
In the above example, the word Kind is used in the vague form. This form is usually used in the spoken English rather than in the written English.
The word Kind needs to agree with the noun they are being used with. If the noun used is in singular form, then the word kind should also be in singular form. If the noun used is in plural form, then the word kind should also be in plural form.
For example, ‘She could found all kinds of sarees in that shop.’ Here the noun is plural hence the word kind is also used in the plural form.
What is Type?
The word Type is used so as to show the category or a sub-division within a bigger thing. Also, the use of preposition ‘of’ after the word ‘type’ makes the sentence more appropriate and meaningful.
For example, ‘These types of clothes does not suit my personality’. The use of ‘of’ after the word type gives the sentence more meaning. This sentence clearly refers to a sub-category of clothes available in the market that is being preferred according to the person’s choice.
The word Type has an informal usage in the speeches. Like, the word Type can be used to describe the category of people they find attractive or like. For example, ‘That guy is not my type. He is too way serious.’ Here, the person does not like this particular guy.
Here the person is talking about a sub-division of the males which is a part of the whole. This part from the whole is the group of males the person finds attractive or likable.
The word Type is more formal than the word Kind. This word is used by the people in the writings than in the speeches. The word Type needs to agree with the noun they are being used with. If the noun used is in singular form, then the word type should also be in singular form.
If the noun used is in plural form, then the word type should also be in plural form. For example, ‘These types of shoes are not available in our region.’ Here the noun is plural hence the word type is also used in the plural form.
Main Differences Between Kind and Type
- The word Kind is used to express the sense of sort. On the other hand, the word Type is used to show category or a sub-division within a big thing.
- The word Kind can’t be used in the situations to informally refer about something or someone. On the other hand, the word Type can be used in the situations to informally refer to a person or something.
- The word Kind is more preferred in the speeches than in writing. On the other hand, the word Type is more preferred in writing than in the speeches.
- The word Kind sounds less formal than type. On the other hand, the word Type sounds more formal than kind.
- An example of the word Kind is ‘She found all kinds of drapes in that shop.’ On the other hand, an example of the word Type is ‘These types of cars are very expensive indeed.’
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/1772491
- http://iceland2017.nelsconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Klockmann.pdf
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
