If you’re learning English, sort of is a common phrase with more than one meaning. It can show that something is somewhat true, approximate, or difficult to describe exactly.
The phrase can also refer to a type or category. This guide explains the difference, sentence patterns, common mistakes, American English usage, and better choices for formal writing.
Quick Answer
Sort of usually means “somewhat,” “in a way,” or “approximately.”
A sort of can also mean “a type of” when it introduces a noun.
TL;DR
• Sort of often means “somewhat” or “in a way.”
• A sort of can mean “a type of.”
• Kind of often has a similar conversational meaning.
• Sort of is usually informal.
• Somewhat sounds more formal and precise.
• Sorta is an informal spoken spelling.
The Main Meanings of Sort Of
The meaning of sort of depends on how it works in the sentence. Before an adjective or verb, it often reduces certainty or intensity.
Before a noun, a sort of can identify an approximate category. Context tells you which meaning is intended.
• I’m sort of tired. → I’m somewhat tired.
• She sort of agreed. → She agreed to some degree.
• What sort of car is that? → What type of car is that?
• It’s a sort of small boat. → It is approximately a type of small boat.
How To Use Sort Of in a Sentence
In casual English, sort of commonly appears before an adjective, verb, or description. It can make your statement less direct or less exact.
It can also show that you’re searching for the right description. This makes it especially common in conversation.
• The movie was sort of funny.
• I sort of understand the problem.
• The room feels sort of cold.
• He sort of smiled.
• That answer sounds sort of strange.
Sort Of With Adjectives
When sort of comes before an adjective, it usually means “somewhat” or “to some degree.”
For example, sort of nervous does not mean completely nervous. It presents nervousness as a limited or less definite description.
• I’m sort of nervous about tomorrow.
• The instructions are sort of confusing.
• That color looks sort of green.
• She seems sort of worried.
• The room was sort of dark.
In formal writing, you can often replace sort of with a more exact word.
• sort of tired → somewhat tired
• sort of cold → slightly cold
• sort of unusual → somewhat unusual
Sort Of With Verbs
Sort of can also modify an action. It can suggest that something happened partly, indirectly, or in a way that is difficult to describe.
The phrase does not always mean the action was weak. It can simply make the speaker’s description less definite.
• I sort of forgot about the meeting.
• She sort of laughed.
• He sort of agreed with us.
• The plan sort of worked.
• They sort of changed their minds.
A Sort Of vs Sort Of
This is one of the most useful differences to understand.
A sort of + noun often means “a type of” or “an approximate example of.” By contrast, sort of + adjective or verb often means “somewhat” or “in a way.”
Compare these sentences:
• It is a sort of machine. → a type of machine
• The machine is sort of noisy. → somewhat noisy
• She bought a sort of blue jacket. → an approximate description
• She is sort of worried. → worried to some degree
The article a changes the grammatical structure and can change the meaning.
Sort Of vs Kind Of
Sort of and kind of are often interchangeable in casual English.
Cambridge notes that kind of is more common in American English, while sort of is more common in British English. This is a usage preference, not a rule that makes sort of wrong in American English.
• I’m sort of tired.
• I’m kind of tired.
• That sounds sort of strange.
• That sounds kind of strange.
For category questions, both are also common:
• What sort of music do you like?
• What kind of music do you like?
Sort Of vs Somewhat, Rather, and Slightly
These expressions overlap, but their tone can differ.
Somewhat is usually more formal than conversational sort of. Slightly normally suggests a small degree, while rather can express a moderate degree.
• I’m sort of concerned. → casual and less exact
• I’m somewhat concerned. → more formal
• I’m slightly concerned. → concerned to a small degree
• I’m rather concerned. → fairly or moderately concerned
Choose the word that gives the exact degree and tone you want.
What Sort Of Means in Questions
What sort of usually means “what type of” or “what kind of.”
It asks someone to identify a category. This structure is common with nouns.
• What sort of music do you enjoy?
• What sort of job are you looking for?
• What sort of books do you read?
• What sort of food do you like?
• What sort of person would enjoy this job?
What sort of and what kind of are normally interchangeable in these questions.
This Sort Of, That Sort Of, and These Sorts Of
Use this sort of and that sort of for one general category. For multiple categories, these sorts of and those sorts of are clearer standard choices.
The same pattern applies to kind and type.
• This sort of mistake is common.
• That sort of behavior is unusual.
• These sorts of mistakes are common.
• Those sorts of questions can be difficult.
A useful rule is:
this/that + sort of + noun
these/those + sorts of + noun
What Does “That Sort Of Thing” Mean?
That sort of thing means other things belonging to the same general category.
It is useful when you have already mentioned examples and do not want to list every similar item.
• I enjoy hiking, camping, and that sort of thing.
• We discussed homework, tests, and that sort of thing.
• She likes painting, drawing, and that sort of thing.
Cambridge describes this expression as referring to examples from a larger group.
Is Sort Of Formal or Informal?
When sort of means “somewhat” or “in a way,” it is generally informal.
It works naturally in conversations, casual messages, and informal writing. More precise wording is usually better for formal or academic writing.
• Casual: The results are sort of surprising.
• Formal: The results are somewhat surprising.
• Casual: The color is sort of blue.
• Precise: The color is pale blue.
Do not remove sort of simply because it is informal. Instead, decide whether the situation calls for a more precise expression.
Is “Sorta” Correct English?
Sorta is an informal spelling representing the spoken form of sort of.
It can appear in casual dialogue or informal online writing. It should generally be avoided in formal school, professional, or academic writing.
• Casual dialogue: I’m sorta tired.
• Standard writing: I’m sort of tired.
• Formal writing: I’m somewhat tired.
The standard written form is sort of.
Common Sort Of Mistakes
Most mistakes involve confusing meanings, number, or formality.
• Wrong for formal writing: I’m sorta worried.
• Better: I’m sort of worried.
• More formal: I’m somewhat worried.
• Clear: This sort of problem is common.
• Clear plural: These sorts of problems are common.
• Avoid: These sort of problems.
• Prefer: These sorts of problems.
• Also natural: This sort of problem.
The singular and plural forms should match the demonstrative when you use the standard pattern.
Sort, Type, and Kind: What’s the Difference?
Sort, type, and kind all commonly refer to categories of people or things.
In many sentences, they can replace one another without changing the basic meaning. The best choice depends on tone, context, and regional preference.
• What sort of music do you like?
• What kind of music do you like?
• What type of music do you like?
Type of can sound more precise in technical or formal contexts. Kind of and sort of are very common in everyday English.
Can Sort Of Stand Alone?
Yes. In conversation, sort of can stand alone as a short answer.
It often means “to some extent,” “partly,” or “in a way.”
• “Do you understand?” — “Sort of.”
• “Did you enjoy the movie?” — “Sort of.”
• “Was the meeting helpful?” — “Sort of.”
This use does not mean a specific category. It gives a qualified answer.
Can Sort Of Go at the End of a Sentence?
Yes. Informal English sometimes places sort of at the end.
This position can make the speaker’s statement sound less definite. It can also show that the speaker is adding a qualification.
• I agree, sort of.
• It was a success, sort of.
• She apologized, sort of.
This style is conversational. In formal writing, a clearer sentence is usually preferable.
FAQs
Does “sort of” mean “kind of”?
Usually, yes, when both expressions soften a description or statement. Kind of is especially common in American English.
Does “sort of” mean “somewhat”?
Often, yes. I’m sort of tired means that the speaker is tired to some degree.
Is “sort of” grammatically correct?
Yes. It is an established English expression with several standard uses.
Is “sort of” formal English?
It is generally informal when used as a softening expression. Formal writing often benefits from words such as somewhat or slightly.
What is the difference between “a sort of” and “sort of”?
A sort of often means “a type of.” Sort of commonly means “somewhat” or “in a way.”
Can “sort of” be used alone?
Yes. Sort of can be a short conversational response meaning partly or to some extent.
Is “sorta” acceptable in writing?
It is acceptable in highly informal contexts, especially dialogue. Use sort of in standard writing.
Conclusion
Sort of can mean somewhat, in a way, approximately, or a type of, depending on its grammatical role. The easiest way to understand it is to examine what follows the phrase.
Use sort of naturally in casual English, but choose a more precise alternative when formal writing requires clarity. Next, practice comparing sort of, kind of, somewhat, and a sort of in your own sentences.
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