KIND OF Vs KINDS OF

Hi Good Evening!

Many a times, my students have asked me when, where and how to use 'KIND' in the sense of 'type'. Most of them are often confused about whether to use 'this kind of questions...' , 'these kind of questions...' or 'these kinds of questions...'

Speaking of one kind, with 'this' or 'that', use a singular construction: 'this kind of mistake is not very serious'; 'That kind of dress doesn't suit you'.
On the other hand, while speaking of more than one kind, use a plural construction: 'these kinds of mistakes are not very serious'; 'those kinds of dresses don't suit you'.

More examples:
I love this kind of film.
I love these kinds of films.

Don't buy this kind of book.
Don't buy these kinds of books.

Although the 'ungrammatical these kind' has been used by many writers for many centuries, modern writers and grammarians prefer to avoid this usage.

NB Remember the same rule applies to 'SORT' too.

                                                                                                                           
Jacob (Nova English Campus)