Alot, A Lot, or Allot?

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Alot or A Lot?

What is the difference between "alot" and "a lot"?
  • Alot. The word "alot" is a misspelling of "a lot" (unless you mean the Indian town of Alot).
  • A Lot. "A lot" means "a large extent" or "to a large extent."
There is also a verb "to allot":
  • Allot. The verb "to allot" means "to share out" or "to apportion."
alot, a lot, or allot?

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A Video Summary

Here is a short video summarizing the difference between "Alot." "A Lot," and "Allot."

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More about "A Lot," "Alot," and "Allot"

The most common mistake involving these words is writing "alot" instead of "a lot." Remember that the word "alot" does not exist (unless you mean the Indian town of Alot).
Alot in India


There is a town in India called "Alot." That aside, the word "alot" does not exist in English.

More about "A Lot"

The term "a lot" is the opposite of "a little."

As a noun, "lot" means "a large extent," "a large amount," or "a large number." As an adverb, "a lot" means "to a great extent" or "to a great degree."

Here are some examples of "a lot" in a sentence:
  • Mark has a lot of toys.
    • ("Lot" is a noun in this example.)
  • He cheats a lot.
    • ("A lot" is an adverb in this example.)

More about "Allot"

The verb "to allot" means "to give out," "to apportion," "to divide," or "to distribute." (Other forms of the verb are "allots," "allotted," and "allotting.")

Here are some examples of "allot" in a sentence:
  • The peasant was allotted just 25m2 to grow his monster pumpkins.
  • I will allot a radio to each group.
  • You need to allot each syndicate sufficient time to question the presenter.

More about "Alot"

The word "alot" does not exist. It is often mistakenly written instead of "a lot." For example:
  • I know alot about precious stones.
  • I know a lot about precious stones.
Note: Alot does exist as a proper noun. It is a town in India.
Interactive Exercise
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See Also

adverse or averse? affect or effect? appraise or apprise? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? discreet or discrete? disinterested or uninterested? e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? imply or infer? its or it's? material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? tenant or tenet? who's or whose? What are nouns? What are verbs? List of easily confused words