a lot

Meanings

1. 1pronouncountable or uncountable

   A large amount or number of people, things, time, money, or work.

   Grammar: Usually appears as a lot of plus noun; the verb follows the noun: a lot of water is, a lot of students are.

   Patterns

   • a lot of something
   • a lot to do
   • learn a lot

   We spent a lot of money on repairs this year.

   A lot of students are waiting outside.

   There is a lot to finish before Friday.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   Very much or to a great degree.

   Grammar: Modifies verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or comparatives: thanks a lot, a lot better.

   Patterns

   • thank someone a lot
   • a lot better
   • a lot more

   Thanks a lot for driving me home.

   This chair is a lot more comfortable than the old one.

   She travels a lot for work.

Common combinations

a lot of

A lot of people arrived early.

thanks a lot

Thanks a lot for fixing my bike.

a lot more

We need a lot more time to decide.

a lot better

The weather is a lot better today.

a lot to learn

New drivers have a lot to learn.

Synonyms and how they differ

many

Many is less informal and needs plural countable nouns, not uncountable nouns.

much

Much fits uncountable nouns but sounds formal or negative/question-like in many statements.

plenty

Plenty suggests enough or more than enough and is common in informal positive statements.

lots

Lots is even more informal and usually appears as lots of before a noun.

Opposites

Word family

lot noun

A set or quantity; the phrase a lot uses lot in an old share-or-amount sense.

lots determiner

Informal plural form with a similar meaning, as in lots of time.

Commonly confused: a lot or alot? a lot or allot?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “a lot”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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