Page 575 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

2 singular and plural; these sort of etc
When we are talking about one sort of thing, we can use sort of, kind ofor type offollowed by a singular noun.
This sort o f car is enormously expensive to run.
I'm interested in any new type ofdevelopment in computer science. Singular sort of, kind ofand type ofcan also be followed by plural nouns, especially in an informal style.
I'm interested in any new kind ofdevelopments . .. Plural demonstratives (these and those) can also be used. These sort o f cars are enormously expensive to run.
Do you smoke those kind ofcigarettes?
This structure is often felt to be incorrect, and is usually avoided in a formal style. This can be done by using a singular noun (see above), by using plural sorts/kinds/types, or by using the structure ... ofthis/that sort/kind/type.
This sort ofcar is ...
These kinds ofcar(s) are. .. Cars ofthat type are ...
3 softeners
In an informal style, sort ofand kind ofcan be used before almost any word or expression, or at the end of a sentence, to show that we are not speaking very exactly, or to make what we say less definite.
We sort o f thought you might forget.
Sometimes I sort ofwonder whether I shouldn't sort ofget a job. I've had sort ofan idea about what we could do.
She's kind ofstrange. I've changed my mind, kind of
552 sound
Sound is a link verb (see 328). It is followed by adjectives, not adverbs. You sound unhappy. What's the matter?
Progressive forms are not very common.
Your idea sounds great. (NOT ¥B1;t,. itha's S6l;trttiilIg gl'€tit.)
However, progressive forms are possible when there is an idea of change.
The car sounds I is sounding a bit rough these days. Sound is often followed by like or as if/though.
That sounds like Bill coming up the stairs. It sounds as if/though he's had a hard day.
553 speak and talk
1 little difference
There is litle difference between speak and talk. In certain situations one or the other is preferred, but they are usually both possible.
2 formality
Talk is the more usual word for informal communication.
When she walked into the room everybody stopped talking. Could I talk to you about the football match for a few minutes?
speak and talk 553
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