Which Is Correct—Alot, A Lot, or Allot?
A common error is to misspell a lot (the two-word expression that means “many”) as alot or allot. The following tips and examples will help you avoid this error.
- The store offered alot of student discounts.
- The store offered allot of student discounts.
- The store offered a lot of student discounts.
Alot vs a lot
Alot (one word with no space) is an incorrectly spelled word. The correct spelling is always a lot (two words).
When used as a noun, the meaning of a lot is “a considerable number, quantity, or amount.” As an adverb, it means “a great deal” or “often.”
I care for her a lot.
We have been performing a lot during the tour.
What’s another word for a lot?
When using a lot as a noun, you can replace it with more concise alternatives, like numerous or many.
Numerous studies show that high social media usage has a detrimental effect on teens.
If you make a right on Main Street, you’ll see that a lot of houses have been decorated for the festivities.
If you make a right on Main Street, you’ll see that many houses have been decorated for the
festivities.
What does allot mean?
A lot is also often confused with the verb allot, which means “to give or assign as a share or portion.”
- Allot of the concertgoers were unhappy with the late start.
- A lot of the concertgoers were unhappy with the late start.
The correct usage of the word allot is always as a verb.
How to remember the difference
Remember, when it comes to alot and a lot, the correct choice is always a lot. If you’re trying to “allocate a certain portion,” then the word you want is allot.
This can be a lot of information, regardless of whether you’re a native English speaker or are learning the language. The best way to guarantee flawless writing is to use LanguageTool as your text editor so it can check for spelling and grammar errors as well as provide stylistic improvements.
