Alot, A Lot, and Allot

The Quick Answer
What are the differences between alot, a lot, and allot?
  • 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.
  • Allot. The verb to allot means to apportion.
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A Lot, Alot, or Allot?

There is often confusion over alot, a lot and allot.

The most common mistake involving these words is writing alot instead of a lot. Remember, the word alot does not exist (unless you mean the Indian town of Alot). Alot ought to be two words; i.e., it is a misspelling of a lot.

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.

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. For example:
  • 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.)

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.

A Video Summary

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

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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