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01Hello.
02This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Anne in Vietnam about four words that help describe what group something belongs to.
03Dear Teacher, What are the differences among species, kinds, types, and genres?
04Which case is each word used for?
05Thank you, Anne.
06I'm happy to answer this question, Anne.
07We can use each of the words you ask about to describe what category something belongs in.
08A category is a group of things that share similar qualities.
09For example, apples, bananas, and oranges all belong in the same category, which is fruit.
10The words kind and type are synonyms.
11That means they each share the same meaning, and they have the most general meaning of the four words you ask about.
12A kind or a type is a group that shares things in common.
13For example, Electric cars are one kind of car, while gasoline-powered cars are another type or kind of car.
14Notice that we commonly put the preposition of after the words kind or type.
15The phrases a type of car is a type of car.
16The phrases a kind of car is a type of car.
17The phrases a kind of car is a type of car.
18The phrases a kind of car is a type of car.
19The phrases a kind of car is a type of car.
20The phrases a kind of car is a type of car.
21We use the phrase a kind of car is a type of car.
22We use the phrase a kind of car is a type of car.
23We use the phrase a kind of car is a type of car.
24We use the phrase a kind of car is a type of car.
25We use the word species to categorize living things.
26For example, Elephants, cats, dogs, and mice are different species of animals.
27Roses and lilies are different species of flowers.
28Each species has a Latin scientific name.
29For example, the name of the species for human beings is Homo sapiens.
30The word genre comes from the Latin word genus, which means group.
31We use genre to categorize styles of creative works.
32For example, music has many genres, such as rock, hip-hop, classical, and jazz.
33Genres of painting include impressionism and cubism.
34Likewise, film, dance, photography, literature, and theater each have their own genres.
35The word genre is more formal than kind of.
36So, in everyday discussions, we might ask someone, What kind of movies do you like?
37However, in writing or more formal discussions, we might use the word genre.
38For our readers and listeners, what are your favorite genres of creative works?
39And, what are your questions about American English?
40We want to hear from you.
41Send us an email at learningenglish at voanews.com And, please, let us know where you are from, too.
42And, that's Ask a Teacher.
43I'm Andrew Smith.
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