Common Mistakes When Using ‘kind of’ in a Sentence
The phrase “kind of” is one of the most frequently misused expressions in business English. Many learners treat it as a simple filler, but it carries specific meaning and tone that can weaken your writing if used incorrectly. The core problem is that “kind of” has two distinct functions: it can mean “a type of” (a noun phrase) or it can mean “somewhat” or “rather” (an adverb). Confusing these two uses leads to unclear sentences, especially in professional emails and reports. This guide will help you identify and fix the most common errors so your business writing stays precise and confident.
Quick Answer: When Is ‘kind of’ Wrong?
You make a mistake with “kind of” when you use it as a vague qualifier in formal writing, when you forget the article “a” before it in its noun form, or when you use it to soften a statement that should be direct. In business contexts, “kind of” often sounds hesitant or unprofessional. The fix is usually to replace it with a more specific word or to restructure the sentence.
The Two Meanings of ‘kind of’
To avoid mistakes, you must first understand the two roles this phrase plays.
1. ‘Kind of’ as a Noun Phrase (A Type of)
When you mean “a category” or “a variety,” use “kind of” with an article. Example: “This is a new kind of software.” Here, “kind” is a noun, and “of” connects it to the category. The article “a” is essential.
2. ‘Kind of’ as an Adverb (Somewhat)
When you mean “to some extent,” “kind of” acts as an adverb. Example: “I kind of agree with you.” In this use, no article is needed, and the phrase is informal. In business writing, this use is often better replaced with “somewhat,” “partially,” or “to some degree.”
Common Mistake 1: Missing the Article ‘a’
The most frequent error is dropping the article when “kind of” means a type. This makes the sentence grammatically incomplete.
Incorrect: “We need to develop new kind of marketing strategy.”
Correct: “We need to develop a new kind of marketing strategy.”
Incorrect: “That is different kind of problem.”
Correct: “That is a different kind of problem.”
Always check: if you can replace “kind of” with “type of,” you need the article “a” or “an” before it.
Common Mistake 2: Using ‘kind of’ as a Weakener in Formal Writing
In business emails, reports, and presentations, “kind of” can make you sound unsure. It weakens your authority.
Weak: “I kind of think we should delay the launch.”
Stronger: “I recommend we delay the launch.”
Weak: “The results were kind of disappointing.”
Stronger: “The results were disappointing.”
If you need to express uncertainty, use precise qualifiers like “slightly,” “somewhat,” or “partially” instead of “kind of.”
Common Mistake 3: Confusing ‘kind of’ with ‘kinds of’
When you refer to multiple categories, use “kinds of” (plural). Using “kind of” for plural categories is a grammar error.
Incorrect: “There are several kind of reports to review.”
Correct: “There are several kinds of reports to review.”
Incorrect: “We offer two kind of services.”
Correct: “We offer two kinds of services.”
Comparison Table: ‘kind of’ vs. Better Alternatives
| Context | Original with ‘kind of’ | Better Alternative | Why It’s Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expressing opinion | I kind of agree. | I partially agree. | More precise and professional. |
| Describing a category | That is a kind of error. | That is a type of error. | “Type of” is clearer in business. |
| Softening criticism | The report is kind of unclear. | The report is somewhat unclear. | More formal and direct. |
| Making a suggestion | We could kind of try a new approach. | We could try a new approach. | Removes hesitation. |
| Giving an example | This is kind of like our old system. | This is similar to our old system. | More accurate and professional. |
Natural Examples in Business Contexts
Here are sentences that use “kind of” correctly in different business situations.
- Email (informal internal): “I’m kind of busy this afternoon, but I can review the draft tomorrow morning.”
- Meeting (casual): “This new tool is kind of like the one we used last year, but with better analytics.”
- Report (noun use): “We identified a new kind of customer behavior during the Q3 analysis.”
- Conversation (softening): “I kind of feel we should wait for more data before deciding.”
- Formal writing (avoided): Instead of “This is kind of important,” write “This is important.”
Common Mistakes at a Glance
- Missing article: “We need new kind of approach” → “We need a new kind of approach.”
- Overuse as filler: “It was kind of a long meeting” → “The meeting was long.”
- Wrong plural: “These kind of issues” → “These kinds of issues.”
- Too informal for email: “I kind of need the report by Friday” → “I need the report by Friday.”
- Confusing meaning: “That is kind of a problem” can mean “That is a type of problem” or “That is somewhat a problem.” Clarify your intent.
Better Alternatives to ‘kind of’
When you catch yourself writing “kind of,” consider these replacements based on your meaning.
- For “somewhat”: slightly, partially, moderately, to some extent, fairly
- For “a type of”: a type of, a category of, a variety of, a form of
- For softening: I believe, I suggest, in my view, it appears that
- For examples: such as, for instance, like (but use sparingly in formal writing)
When to Use ‘kind of’ (and When to Avoid It)
Use it when:
- You are writing a casual internal message to a close colleague.
- You are speaking in an informal meeting or brainstorming session.
- You need the noun phrase meaning “a type of” and the context is neutral.
Avoid it when:
- Writing formal emails to clients, managers, or external partners.
- Writing reports, proposals, or official documents.
- You want to sound confident and decisive.
- You can replace it with a more specific word.
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Correct the mistake in each sentence. Answers are below.
- We need to implement new kind of training program.
- I kind of think the budget is too low.
- There are three kind of errors in this report.
- This is kind of similar to our previous proposal.
Answers:
- We need to implement a new kind of training program.
- I think the budget is too low. (Or: I believe the budget is too low.)
- There are three kinds of errors in this report.
- This is similar to our previous proposal. (Or: This is somewhat similar to our previous proposal.)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is “kind of” always informal?
No. When used as a noun phrase meaning “a type of,” it is neutral and acceptable in most writing. For example, “This is a new kind of software” is fine. The informal use is when it means “somewhat,” as in “I kind of agree.”
2. Can I use “kind of” in a business email?
Yes, but only in informal internal emails. For external or formal emails, replace it with a more precise word. For example, instead of “I’m kind of interested,” write “I am interested.”
3. What is the difference between “kind of” and “sort of”?
They are interchangeable in meaning. “Sort of” is slightly more common in British English, while “kind of” is more common in American English. Both have the same rules and pitfalls.
4. How do I fix a sentence that uses “kind of” too much?
Read your sentence aloud. If “kind of” adds no real meaning, delete it. If it adds a nuance of uncertainty, replace it with a specific adverb like “somewhat” or “partially.” If it means “a type of,” ensure you have the article “a” and consider using “type of” for clarity.
For more help with common usage mistakes, visit our Common Usage Mistakes section. You can also explore Simple Sentence Examples and Daily English Sentences for additional practice. If you have questions, check our FAQ or contact us.