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Search results for 'kind':

kind1 noun 1 a group, class, sort, race or type. 2 a particular variety or a specimen belonging to a specific variety. 3 nature, character or distinguishing quality • differ in kind. a kind of ... something like a ... • a kind of magazine. after its kind according to its nature. in kind 1 said of payment: in goods instead of money. 2 said of repayment or retaliation: in the same form as the treatment received. kind of or kinda colloq somewhat; slightly • kind of old-fashioned. nothing of the kind not at all; completely the reverse. of a kind 1 of the same sort • three of a kind. 2 of doubtful worth • an explanation of a kind.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon gecynd nature.

kind

Like sort, kind gives rise to a usage difficulty when it is followed by of with a plural noun and needs to be preceded by a demonstrative pronoun this, that, these, those. The grammatical sequences in use are as follows:

?• I think these kind of comments are most unfair.

• This kind of component is much smaller and more reliable than a valve.

• Those are the kinds of assumptions (or assumption) • being made.

The first is sometimes rejected by language purists, but it is common especially in speech.

RECOMMENDATION: to avoid difficulty, use this kind of + singular noun, or these kinds of + singular or plural noun.

kind2 adj (kinder, kindest) 1 friendly, helpful, well-meaning, generous, benevolent or considerate. 2 warm; cordial • kind regards. kindness noun. be so kind as to ... or be kind enough to ... a polite formula of request for someone to do a specified thing.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon gecynde in obsolete sense 'natural'.