Most Important Answer: A Lot Of and Lots Of are both correct. Lots of is usually a bit more casual than a lot of. Source-1✅
✓ Correct a lot of
✓ Correct lots of
✗ Wrong alot of
✗ Wrong allot of
- Role: quantifier
- Meaning: large amount or large number
- Register: informal-to-neutral
- Common Mix-Up: alot / allot
This pair trips people up because both forms look and sound natural in everyday English. The clean rule is simple: a lot of and lots of are standard, but alot is not. The rest is about tone, rhythm, and a couple of easy spelling traps.
Table of Contents
Which Spelling Is Correct
A lot of and lots of both mean a large amount or a large number. They work with plural count nouns and uncountable nouns. The main difference is feel: lots of often sounds more casual, and a lot of can sound a touch more neutral. Source-2✅
What They Can Modify
- Plural count nouns: a lot of books / lots of ideas
- Uncountable nouns: a lot of time / lots of noise
- When the noun disappears: “I travel a lot.” (no noun needed)
Real Sentence Examples
Using Lots Of
- We’ve got lots of time.
- There were lots of people there.
- She has lots of patience.
Why The Mistake Happens
Most confusion comes from how it sounds when spoken fast and how often it appears in casual writing. The top trouble spots are the missing space and the look-alike verb.
- alot feels “right” because it’s short and common-looking, but it’s treated as a spelling mistake in standard writing.
- allot is a real word, but it’s a verb meaning “to assign or distribute,” so it doesn’t work as a quantity phrase.
- a lot (no noun) is fine, but a lot of needs a noun right after it.
- lots of can feel extra casual, so some writers avoid it in very formal contexts.
Spelling Note: alot is not used as the standard spelling for the quantity phrase. The expected form is a lot (two words). Source-3✅
The “Of” Detail People Miss
With a noun, you’ll see of: a lot of water, lots of questions. Without a noun, of usually drops: “Quite a lot,” “Plenty,” “Lots.” Keeping that pattern steady makes your writing look instantly cleaner.
Pronunciation and the Quiet N
In natural speech, a lot of often compresses. The of frequently weakens to a quick uhv or even just a soft uh. Lots of can also run together, which is why people accidentally type alot when they write fast.
Sound Snapshot: The base word lot is commonly shown with UK /lɒt/ and US /lɑːt/ pronunciations, and the same core sound sits inside a lot and lots. Source-4✅
Writing vs Speech: You might hear a blended “lotta” sound, but it’s not the standard spelling for everyday formal writing. In normal text, stick to a lot, a lot of, or lots of.
Word Origin and Word Parts
The structure is straightforward: a + lot. Here, lot is a noun with meanings tied to a share, a portion, or a set. Its plural is lots, which is exactly what you see in lots of. Source-5✅
- lot (noun)
- A noun that can refer to a portion, share, or group.
- lots (plural)
- The plural form, used naturally in lots of.
- a lot (phrase)
- Commonly used to mean very much or often, and it can also appear in a lot of + noun.
Word Family and Related Forms
These forms are all normal, but they don’t all do the same job. The two big buckets are quantifier (with a noun) and adverb (without a noun). The word allot looks similar, but it’s a different verb with a different meaning. Source-6✅
| Form | Status | Role | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| a lot of | ✓ Correct | Quantifier | Many / much | We have a lot of messages. |
| lots of | ✓ Correct | Quantifier | Many / much (more casual) | We have lots of messages. |
| a lot | ✓ Correct | Adverb / noun phrase | Very much / often | I laugh a lot. |
| allot | ✓ Correct (different word) | Verb | Assign / distribute | Please allot enough time. |
Small But Important: a lot is two words even when it’s used as an adverb: “I care a lot.” That spacing is the whole game.
Dictionary entries treat a lot as a common phrase with meanings tied to quantity and frequency, which is why it shows up in both a lot of + noun and in “a lot” by itself. Source-7✅
Common Misspellings Table
If you’re here for spelling, this table is the fastest way to spot what’s standard. Watch the space and watch the verb.
| Form | Correct? | What It Is | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| a lot of | ✓ | Quantifier | There’s a lot of traffic. |
| lots of | ✓ | Quantifier (more casual) | There are lots of reasons. |
| a lot | ✓ | Adverb / noun phrase | I think about it a lot. |
| alot | ✗ | Nonstandard spelling | ✗ I have alot of work. |
| allot | ✓ | Verb (different meaning) | Allot five minutes to each speaker. |
| allot of | ✗ | Wrong mix of verb + quantifier pattern | ✗ I have allot of work. |
| a-lot | ✗ | Hyphenated spelling (not standard here) | ✗ That’s a-lot of noise. |
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Are “a lot of” and “lots of” both correct?
Yes. Both are standard and mean a large number or a large amount. The difference is mostly tone: lots of often feels more casual.
Is “lots of” always informal?
It’s usually more casual than a lot of, but it still appears in plenty of normal writing. The choice is about voice, not correctness.
Can I use these with uncountable nouns?
Yes. Both work with uncountable nouns (like time, water, information) and plural count nouns (like books, ideas, problems).
What’s the difference between “a lot” and “a lot of”?
a lot often stands alone as an adverb (very much / very often). a lot of is a quantifier that expects a noun right after it.
Is “alot” ever correct?
In standard English spelling, alot is treated as a spelling error. The standard form is a lot (two words).
Does “allot” mean the same thing as “a lot”?
No. allot is a verb meaning assign or distribute. It does not mean “many” or “much,” and it doesn’t belong in quantity phrases.
Can “lots” be used without “of”?
Yes, when the noun is obvious: “We have lots.” With a noun right after it, you’ll normally see of: “lots of time.”