ENGLISH
REFERENCE

some kind of

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this to describe something when you are not exactly sure what it is or how to name it.

fixed phr.. a determiner phrase used to indicate an approximate or uncertain classification of an object, person, or situation.


SIMPLE

There is some kind of animal in the garden.

CONTEXTUAL

I heard some kind of strange noise coming from the basement late last night.

COMPLEX

The witness described seeing some kind of metallic object hovering silently above the tree line before it vanished.

Usage

usually followed by a singular noun, even if the speaker is referring to a general category.

Teaching tip

explain that 'some' adds a layer of mystery or vagueness compared to 'a kind of'; it is very common in spoken English when the speaker is guessing.

Pitfall

It was some kind of a bird.It was some kind of bird.do not use an article like 'a' or 'an' between 'kind of' and the noun that follows.

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