*Alot or A Lot (or Allot) | Which Is Correct?
A lot is a phrase meaning “often,” “very much,” or “a large number/amount.” People often combine the two words into “alot,” but this spelling is not listed in the dictionary and should not be used. Always write the phrase as two words.
Allot (with a double “l”) is an unrelated verb that means “distribute” or “assign.” Make sure not to confuse it with “a lot.” The QuillBot grammar check tool will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
| Examples: A lot in a sentence | Examples: Allot in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I learn a lot of new words by reading. | The organization will allot funds to each department based on their needs. |
| Jennifer certainly talks a lot! | The pandemic has led the government to allot more resources to public health. |
How to use a lot in a sentence
A lot can be used as an adverb meaning “very much” or “many” or as a pronoun meaning “a large number/amount” or “many.” When it appears as a pronoun, it’s commonly followed by the preposition “of” and a noun specifying the thing being referred to.
Bear in mind that this phrase is considered informal; it should not be used in a formal context like academic writing. Replace it with a more formal synonym like “a great deal” or “many” when necessary.
Jeanie has been traveling a lot lately.
How to use allot in a sentence
Allot is a verb used to describe the action of distributing or assigning something or someone to a particular group or purpose. Someone who allots is an “allotter,” and “allotment” can be used to refer to the act of allotting or to something that is allotted.
An hour was allotted for the lunch break.
Quiz: Allot vs. a lot
Test your understanding of when to use “allot” or “a lot” with the following quiz. Just fill in the correct term in each sentence.
