kind of + noun
Talking about a type
Use kind of before a noun to describe a category or type.
What kind of food do you like?
a rare kind of flower
Kind with prepositions
Kind appears in several fixed expressions. Some combinations are common and idiomatic, while others depend on sentence structure.
Quick answer
Which prepositions are common with kind?
Kind of means type of. Kind to describes friendly behaviour toward someone. In kind means in the same way or form. By kind is rare outside technical classification contexts. With kind is usually an adjunct, not a fixed phrase.
kind of music
She was kind to everyone.
They replied in kind.
She was kind to everyone.
They replied in kind.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
kind to + person
Describing behaviour toward someone
Use kind to when describing considerate or friendly behaviour.
He was kind to the new employee.
Try to be kind to animals.
in kind
Returning something in the same form
In kind means in the same way, form, or value.
She helped us, and we responded in kind.
Payment may be made in kind rather than cash.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
in kind
They answered criticism in kind.
In the same way or form.
of kind
That kind of problem is common.
Part of the fixed phrase kind of.
to kind
Be kind to strangers.
Shows the target of kindness.
with kind
She spoke with kind words.
With introduces a separate descriptive phrase, not a fixed combination.
by kind
The samples were grouped by kind.
Possible in classification contexts only.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Confusing kind of with kind to
Kind of describes type; kind to describes behaviour.
✕ She is kind of me. ✓ She is kind to me.Using by kind in ordinary conversation
By kind is uncommon outside technical grouping or sorting.
✕ People differ by kind. ✓ People differ in many ways.Omitting of after kind
Kind usually takes of before another noun.
✕ What kind music is this? ✓ What kind of music is this?Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. What kind ___ books do you read?
2. She has always been kind ___ children.
3. They responded ___ kind after the gesture.
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Frequently asked questions
Is kind of always informal?
No. It is standard when describing types, such as kind of animal.
What does in kind mean?
It means in the same form, method, or value.
Can with kind be a fixed phrase?
Not usually. With normally introduces a separate descriptive phrase.
Related preposition guides
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