Do we need with/in and the indefinite article?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

  1. Well, Graham’s not an easy person. He likes to please himself what he does, and frankly, he’s not the kind of guy to meet someone halfway.

  2. Well, Graham’s not an easy person. He likes to please himself with/in what he does, and frankly, he’s not the kind of a guy to meet someone halfway.

Do we need one of the prepositions with/in and the indefinite article?
If not, please explain why not.

Thanks

2

Use either preposition or use no preposition but there is no need for the indefinite article in the second sentence.

3

Please explain why the indefinite article shouldn’t be used. Which case is it all about, regarding use of the definite articles? What I want to hear about is grammatical point of view.

In addition, the next related to your sentence is not clear to me

  1. Use either preposition or use no preposition, but…
  2. Use either preposition or use no preposition, but…

Thanks

4

Hi E2e4 and everyone!

I once asked a question related to the same article problem.

I think the following explanation of Michael Swan (in his Practical English Usage) might interest you:

551 sort of, kind of and type of (p.542; third edition)

1 articles

The article a/an is usually dropped after sort of, kind of and type of, but structures with articles are possible in an informal style

That's a funny [b]sort of (a)[/b] car. 
What [b]sort of (a) bird [/b]is that? 
What [b]kind of (a) person[/b] is she? 

         Respectfully,
                 Foreigner