Dictionary of English - kind, sort, or type of

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Kind and sort are more colloquial and can refer to things or people that are broadly similar, without applying strict criteria. These words should be used with this, that rather than these, those; phrases such as I like these kind of books are often heard but should not be written down. If referring to more than one type, the following noun may be singular or plural: these types of dog (or dogs). The singular noun is preferable.

Avoid using kind, sort, or type unnecessarily; there is no need to say it's a sort of collie if the dog is a collie. If it is a particular type of collie, use type of. If there is some doubt about the dog's breeding it is better to say rather like a collie, or a similar phrase.

The flags of Qatar and Bahrain are very similar, reflecting the countries' historical links. The proportions of the Qatari flag are unique. Effective date: c. 1949. >>