what kind

• Frase interrogativa determinante usada para perguntar sobre o tipo, a categoria, a natureza ou a qualidade de algo. Nota: 'What kind (of)' é formado pelo determinante interrogativo 'what', pelo substantivo 'kind' e pelo preposição opcional 'of'; quando usado com substantivos, funciona como uma locução determinante complexa.

An interrogative determiner phrase used to ask about type, category, nature, or quality of something. Note: 'What kind (of)' is a phrase consisting of the interrogative determiner 'what' + the noun 'kind' + optional preposition 'of'. When used before nouns, it functions as a complex determiner phrase modifying those nouns to inquire about their classification or characteristics. This entry focuses on its determiner-like usage with nominal complements.

1. Interrogative determiner (type/category)A1formal

   Used before nouns to ask about the specific type, category, class, or variety of a person, thing, or concept.

   Determinante interrogativo (tipo/categoria)

   • What kind of book do you enjoy reading?
   • What kind of person would do such a thing?
   • What kind of music is playing in the background?

2. Interrogative determiner (quality/characteristic)A2formal

   Used to inquire about the nature, quality, character, or distinguishing features of something, often implying evaluation or description.

   Determinante interrogativo (qualidade/característica)

   • What kind of weather should we expect tomorrow?
   • What kind of impression did the interview make?
   • What kind of results are you hoping to achieve?

3. Pronominal usage (standalone inquiry)A1informal

   Used without a following noun (or with 'of' + implied noun) to ask about type or category when the noun is clear from context. (Note: This functions pronominally but is directly derived from the determiner phrase).

   Uso pronominal (pergunta independente)

   • I need a new phone. What kind do you recommend?
   • She loves desserts. What kind does she like best?
   • What kind of problems are we talking about?

4. Indirect question usageB1formal

   Used to introduce a noun clause that reports a question about type or category, functioning as the object of verbs like 'know', 'ask', 'wonder', 'decide'.

   Uso em pergunta indireta

   • I can't decide what kind of car to buy.
   • Do you know what kind of person he is?
   • She asked what kind of support we could provide.

5. Exclamatory or emphatic useB2informal

   Used in exclamations or rhetorical questions to express surprise, disapproval, or emphasis regarding the nature or type of something.

   Uso exclamativo ou enfático

   • What kind of nonsense is this?
   • What kind of friend would betray you like that?
   • What kind of world are we leaving for our children?