Kind of. Not to be used as a substitute for rather (before adjectives and verbs), or except in familiar style, for something like (before nouns). Restrict it to its literal sense: “Amber is a kind of fossil resin;” “I dislike that kind of notoriety.” The same holds true of sort of. Less. Should not be misused for fewer. a) He had less men than in the previous campaign b) He had fewer men than in the previous campaign
