Kind has also developed the plural kinds, evidently because of the feeling that the old pattern was incorrect. These kind of nevertheless persists in use, especially in less formal speech and writing.
We maintain this distinction here also, focusing on behavioral and verbal expressions of three kinds of caring themes: prosocial concern, reparation for wrongdoing, and affiliation.
Usage: The mixture of plural and singular constructions, although often used informally with kind and sort, should be avoided in serious writing: children enjoy those kinds (not those kind) of stories; these.
“Kind of” can be followed by a singular or plural form when using a countable noun. We can say “kind of thing” or “kind of things,” accordingly. “Kinds of” almost always has to be followed by a plural form.
Jan 21, 2026 · kind (plural kinds) A type, race or category; a group of entities that have common characteristics such that they may be grouped together. quotations
