ENGLISH
REFERENCE

a kind of

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this to describe something that is similar to another thing but not exactly the same.

fixed phr.. a phrase used to categorize an object or concept into a general class while acknowledging it is an imprecise or non-prototypical example.


SIMPLE

A tomato is a kind of fruit.

CONTEXTUAL

The music they play is a kind of jazz, but it has a very modern electronic sound.

COMPLEX

The architect described the building as a kind of bridge between traditional local styles and futuristic urban design.

Usage

usually followed by a singular noun without an article.

Teaching tip

teach this alongside 'sort of' and 'type of'; note that 'a kind of' is often used as a filler or hedge in spoken English to soften a description.

Pitfall

It is a kind of a bird.It is a kind of bird.do not use an article like 'a' or 'the' after 'of' in this phrase.

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