kind of/kind of a/sort of/sort of a

The next time someone asks, "Just what kind of a person are you?" laugh at him and say, "I'm the kind of person who enjoys correct grammar. Buzz off!"

It's just a small problem, really, but it's a problem nonetheless. You see, whenever you want to use the phrase "kind of," and it's to be followed by a noun, the "a" is unnecessary. In fact, it's considered nonstandard.

That means you can't be "kind of a" anything. You can't be kind of a saint, kind of a jerk, kind of a lady/gentleman, or kind of a moron. Someone could ask, "What kind of moron are you?" and you would then be forced to answer.

If the word following the phrase is only an adjective without a noun, the "a" wouldn't make sense anyway. You wouldn't say, "My dog is kind of a friendly." If you do, then the person calling you a moron is 100% correct.

Now I know what you're thinking. . .I always do. "What if I said, 'You're kind of a jerk'?" In this instance "jerk" is used as an adjective, not a noun. As odd as it sounds, it's more appropriate to say, "You're a kind of jerk." Be mindful of your nouns.

The same thing applies to "sort of." Got it? You are no longer a kind of moron. Hooray!