There is often confusion over the words 'alot', 'a lot' and 'allot'.
Alot
This word does not exist. It is often mistakenly written instead of
"a lot".
 I know alot
about precious stones. 
I know a lot
about precious stones. 
A lot
The term 'a lot' is the opposite of 'a
little'. As an noun, 'lot' means a large extent, a large
amount or a large number. As an adverb, 'lot'
means 'to a great extent'
or 'to a great degree'. It nearly always appears in the form 'a
lot'.
Mark has a lot of
toys.
(Lot is a noun in this example.)
He cheats a
lot.
(Lot is an adverb in this example.)
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.)
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.
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LOT CAN BE A NOUN OR AN ADVERB
Noun. The
noun lot means a large extent, large amount or large number. It is
most often seen in the form a lot.
I know a lot
of cool pubs in Brighton.
I know a
bunch of cool pubs in Brighton.
(Evidence that lot is a noun - just like bunch.)
Adverb. The adverb lot means to a great degree or great extent.
It is most often seen in the form a lot.
I run a lot.
I run regularly.
(Evidence that lot is an adverb - just like regularly.)
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