fromEnglish Grammar Today
Kind ofandsort ofare very common expressions in speaking. They soften otherwords andphrases so that they do not appear too direct or exact.Kind ofis morecommon in American English.Sort ofis more common in British English:
He’skind ofjealous that they have become such good friends.
I’m sorry but she’s justkind oflost interest in buying the car.
They said it was a chalet but it was more like asort ofwooden hut.
She’s spent the whole yearsort oftravelling around the world.
See also:
Hedges (just)
Sort,typeandkind
Vague expressions