Alot or A Lot Grammar

Alot or a lot grammar explanations may be difficult to come by. This is because alot is not actually a word!

But for some reason learners of English have come to believe that it can be used. Let's though take a look at alot vs a lot.

A Lot

With this word combination you have:

an article (a)
and a noun (lot)

Lot in this context is defined as 'large in amount'. It can be used in two main ways.

A large amount or number of people or things

Examples:

I ate a lot yesterday
A lot of people came to my birthday party
I think we wasted a lot of time thinking about it

Very often or very much

Examples:

She swears a lot
She visited my house a lot last week
I've got a lot more revising to do

Alot

As noted above, this word does not actually exist so it is not possible to give any examples or explain whether to use alot or alot!

Summary of Alot or A Lot Grammar

So to summarise, when thinking about alot or a lot grammar, you should always use the words a lot.

This is because alot does not exist as a word.

It's not clear why these words may be confused. It's possible that people are thinking of the word allot. That word means "to give something, especially a share of something available, for a particular purpose".

The Ministry of Defence was allotted 20% of the budget this year
I've been allotted an hour to finish this

More Confusing Words:

Is it complement or compliment?
Is it complement or compliment? One refers to enhancing something, the other expresses praise or admiration.
Backward vs Backwards Grammar Differences Explained
Backward can be an adverb or an adjective. As an adjective it means regressive or undeveloped. As an adverb it indicates direction. So those are the Backward vs Backwards grammar differences. The 's' arises with differences between the US and the British Spellings.
Be / Get Used to: Learn the Differences
Be / get used to is used to talk about something that one is familiar with or accustomed to. There are slight difference between 'be' and 'get'.
Past Tense of Feel: Choosing feel or felt
The past tense of feel is felt. We don't say feeled as feel is an irregular verb which means that it doesn't follow the usual pattern of past simple verbs.
The Difference Between There, Their, and They're
This confusing words lesson explains the difference between there, their, and they're, which often stump learners of English.
Drank or Drunk: Advice on which to choose
Confused about whether to use drank or drunk? Drunk is actually the past participle used with the verb 'have'. So 'I have drunk a lot tonight'. 'Drank' is simply the past simple: 'I drank a lot last night'.
Every Day or Everyday? How to Choose
In choosing between every day or everyday you need to understand that one is a determiner plus noun while the other is an adjective.
Its or It's: Grammar rules to know the difference
Simple rules for its or it's: "It's" with the apostrophe is the shortened form of "it is" or "it has": "It's (it is) hot today"; "It's (it has) been a long time since I saw you". "Its" on the other hand indicates the possessive: "The company increased its wages".
Anyway or Anyways Grammar. What's the difference?
Should you use anyway or anyways? Anyway is an adverb that has two meanings. One is 'regardless', the other is to indicate that you are returning to talk about some thing you were talking about before. Anyways has the same meanings but it is very informal English.
Difference Between Accept and Except
Do you know the difference between accept and except? One is about receiving something, the other about exclusion.
Differences Between Infer and Imply
Understand the differences between Infer and Imply with this explanation and example sentences.
Past Tense of Fit - Explanation and Examples
The past tense of fit can be either fit or fitted as it very much depends on whether it's being used in American English or British English.
Difference Between Emigrate and Immigrate
The difference between emigrate and immigrate can be confusing. While one means to leave one's own country or region, the other is to come.
Past tense of hang - Explanation and examples
In using the past tense of hang, there is often confusion over whether to use hanged or hung. Here we will explain the differences and which one is correct.
How to Use Either and Neither with Examples
Advice on how to use either and neither in English grammar. They can be adjectives, adverbs, pronouns and conjunctions.
When to choose assure or ensure
Should you use assure or ensure? One means to give someone confidence, while the other means to make certain.
Difference between affect and effect: Verb or Noun?
The difference between affect and effect is that while one is a noun, the other is a verb. So this will influence where you place the word in your sentence.
What are the differences between bought and brought?
Do you know the differences between bought and brought? One is the past of "bring" and the other of "buy".
Zero Article Rules with Examples
Here we look at zero article rules with examples. We have no article when referring to general concepts, abstract nouns, proper nouns, and mass nouns.
Titled Versus Entitled: How to Choose
This lesson examines titled versus entitled. The words are very different in meaning so it's important to know which is correct.
To vs Too: What is the difference?
Learn about to vs too. To is used as a preposition and to indicate moving towards something. Too means excessive or also. These two words are commonly confusing for English learners. To vs Too grammar mistakes will be noticeable so it's important to understand them.
Classification of Prepositions in English: Types and Examples
This classification of prepositions in English explains how they can be single, double, phrasal or detached.
Lose or Loose: Which to choose?
Choosing between lose or loose can be confusing for English learners. The difference though are fairly simple.
People Are or Is Grammar Explanation with Examples
Deciding whether to say people are or is in English grammar can be confusing but the explanation is in the difference between the plural and the singular.