Of Sort vs. Of Sorts – Which is Correct?

Both “of sort” and “of sorts” are valid, but “of sorts” is far more common in modern American English. Use “a solution of sorts” for something that partially qualifies as a solution or is makeshift. Use “of sort” mainly in formal, literary, or constructions such as “of that sort” instead.

Of Sort or Of Sorts – Which Is Correct?

Both expressions are grammatically correct, but they are not used in exactly the same way. Of sorts is the usual modern idiom after a singular noun, as in “a leader of sorts.” It means “to some extent,” “in a limited way,” or “of an imperfect kind.”

This kind of preposition choice also appears in the distinction explored in Introduction to vs. Introduction of.

Of sort is less common by itself. It usually appears in formal, literary, or slightly old-fashioned constructions such as “people of that sort,” “a person of some sort,” or “a solution of a sort.” In these expressions, sort means “kind” or “type.”

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

Use the plural sorts when the noun is an imperfect or unofficial example of something: “a job of sorts,” “a victory of sorts,” or “a plan of sorts.” Think of the plural as suggesting that the thing resembles several possible versions of the category without fully belonging to it.

Use singular sort when the phrase identifies a general type, especially after words such as that, this, some, or what: “of that sort,” “of some sort,” and “of what sort?”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
of sort	Fixed phrase	Of a particular kind or type; often formal or literary	We do not tolerate behavior of that sort.
of sorts	Fixed phrase	To some extent; an imperfect or makeshift example	The old shed became a workshop of sorts.

How to Use Of Sort

Of sort is valid English, but it is less frequent and less conversational than of sorts. It commonly occurs in phrases that describe a type or category, including “of that sort,” “of this sort,” “of some sort,” and “of what sort.” The tone may be formal, literary, or old-fashioned depending on the sentence.

When it follows a noun without another determiner, of sort can sound unnatural to many modern readers. In most cases, “a person of sorts” means an imperfect or unofficial person of a particular role, while “a person of a sort” is more likely to mean a person of a particular kind. Context is important.

Example 1: We have encountered problems of that sort before.

Example 2: The investigators found evidence of some sort near the entrance.

Example 3: What sort of explanation do you expect?

Etymology of the Word Of Sort

The noun sort entered English through Old French sorte, meaning “kind,” “type,” or “category.” It ultimately comes from the Latin sors, meaning “lot,” “fate,” or “share.” The phrase of sort developed from the broader idea of belonging to a particular kind or category.

How to Use Of Sorts

Of sorts is the more common modern expression. It usually follows a singular noun and indicates that something qualifies as an example only partially, informally, unexpectedly, or in a makeshift way. It can also suggest that the speaker is being cautious or mildly humorous.

The phrase does not usually mean that there are literally several kinds. Instead, the plural form is part of an established idiom. It is especially common in phrases such as “a solution of sorts,” “a celebrity of sorts,” “a victory of sorts,” and “a home of sorts.”

Example 1: The garage became a studio of sorts.

Example 2: After months of training, she was an athlete of sorts.

Example 3: The meeting produced an agreement of sorts.

Etymology of the Word Of Sorts

Of sorts uses the plural of sort, a word borrowed from Old French sorte and ultimately derived from Latin sors. The idiomatic meaning developed over time from the idea of something belonging to a category in a limited, approximate, or unconventional way.

Related Concepts

Understanding the difference between literal categories and idiomatic qualifiers makes it easier to choose between of sort and of sorts.

• Idioms: An idiom is an established expression whose meaning cannot always be understood by interpreting every word literally. In “a solution of sorts,” the phrase means an imperfect or partial solution.
• Determiners: Words such as this, that, some, and what commonly appear before singular sort, as in “of that sort” and “of some sort.”
• Approximation: Approximate language indicates that something only partly fits a description. “A victory of sorts” describes an outcome that can be called a victory, although it may be limited or unsatisfying.
• Register: Register refers to the level of formality in language. Of sorts is common in general writing, while some uses of of sort sound formal or literary.

Examples from Media and Literature

The expression of sorts appears frequently in journalism, fiction, film dialogue, and commentary because it efficiently communicates an imperfect or qualified description.

• News writing: A report may describe a policy change as “a compromise of sorts” when the agreement resolves only part of a dispute.
• Film reviews: A reviewer might call an unusual group “a family of sorts” when its members are connected emotionally rather than biologically.
• Fiction: A character living in an abandoned building may refer to it as “a home of sorts,” emphasizing that it offers shelter but lacks the qualities of a normal home.
• Biographical writing: A person who advises others without an official position may be described as “a mentor of sorts.”
• Historical prose: A formal narrative may use “a ruler of that sort” or “a custom of this sort” to identify a particular category of person or practice.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

1. The broken-down trailer served as a home ___.
2. We have seen disputes of ___ throughout history.
3. The committee reached a compromise ___.
4. She is not a doctor, but she is a healer ___.
5. He strongly objected to behavior of that ___.

Answer Key

1. of sorts — The trailer was an imperfect or makeshift home.
2. of this sort or of that sort — The phrase identifies a particular type of dispute.
3. of sorts — The compromise was incomplete or limited.
4. of sorts — She resembles a healer without necessarily having the official role.
5. sort — “Of that sort” means of that particular type.

Of Sort Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
of a kind	Belonging to a particular category or type
of that type	Matching a previously mentioned kind or category
of some kind	Belonging to an unspecified category
of a particular nature	Having specific characteristics or qualities

Of Sorts Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
in a way	To a limited or qualified extent
sort of	Somewhat or approximately; common in informal speech
of a kind	An imperfect or unusual example of something
so-called	Described by a particular label, sometimes with qualification or skepticism
makeshift	Created as a temporary or inadequate substitute

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “of sorts” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Of sorts” is a standard idiom meaning “to some extent,” “in a limited way,” or “of an imperfect kind.” For example, “The spare room became an office of sorts.”

Question 2: Is “of sort” wrong?
No. “Of sort” is valid, especially in phrases such as “of that sort,” “of this sort,” and “of some sort.” However, “of sorts” is generally more natural when describing an imperfect example of a role, object, or condition.

Question 3: Should I write “a solution of sort” or “a solution of sorts”?
In modern American English, write “a solution of sorts” when you mean an incomplete, unconventional, or makeshift solution. “A solution of a sort” is also possible when emphasizing that it belongs to a particular type, but it is less common.

Conclusion

Both of sort and of sorts are correct, but they serve different purposes. Use of sorts for an imperfect or partial example, as in “a victory of sorts.” Use singular sort in category-based expressions such as “of that sort” or “of some sort.” Pro Tip: Choosing the more natural phrase in professional writing helps your grammar sound precise and polished.