• Browse Worksheets
    • Subject
    • Grade
    • Common Core
    • Theme
  • Learning Center
    • Reference
    • Q & A
    • Articles
    • Resources
  • Search
    • Lesson Templates
    • Graphic Helpers
    • Book Lists

Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

  • Subject
  • Grade
  • CCSS
  • Theme
  • Reference
  • Blog
  • Articles
  • Resources
  • Lesson Templates
  • Graphic Aids
  • Book Lists
  • Search

A Lot

The Easy Explanation

“Alot” does not exist; there is no such word: alot.
“A lot” means a large number of or to a great extent: Even just watching soccer can be a lot of fun.

When to Use A Lot vs. Alot

There aren’t many times that you get as solid a grammar answer as this one. You never use “alot”—never. It is simply a misspelling of the correct term “a lot.”

The term “a lot” can be used as a noun that means a large quantity (as in many of something). It can also be used as an adverb meaning to a great extent (as in to a great degree of something). It can also mean often (as in frequently).

Examples of A Lot vs. Alot

  • The United States spends a lot of money on its armed forces. (meaning a large quantity)
  • The brakes on that kind of bike stick a lot. (meaning they stick to a great degree)
  • The orchestra travels to Italy a lot. (meaning often)

There aren’t any good examples of “alot” … because it’s not a word! Remember: alot.

How to Remember the Difference

If you find your fingers hovering over the keyboard as you try to remember whether “a lot” or “alot” is the actual word, here’s a tip: Just as you can’t write “alittle” to mean “a little,” you cannot write “alot” to mean “a lot.”

Theory Into Practice: Which Is Which?

Is the underlined word correct? See if you can tell.

  1. The teacher spent alot of time covering algorithms.
    Wrong: “Alot” is never correct—not even alittle correct. (See how wrong that “alittle” looks? “A lot” and “a little” must each be two words.)
  2. The eastern section of the country had a lot of snow last winter.
    Right: There was a large quantity of snow, so it’s “a lot.”
  3. The soccer mom demographic shops at Target a lot.
    Right: They shop there often, so it’s “a lot.”
  • Spelling Words
    • 1st Grade Spelling
    • 2nd Grade Spelling
    • 3rd Grade Spelling
    • 4th Grade Spelling
    • 5th Grade Spelling
    • High School Spelling
    • Spelling Patterns
    • Spelling Rules
  • Reading Skills
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Cause and Effect
    • Character Descriptions
    • Character Traits
    • Context Clues
    • Drawing Conclusions
    • Fact and Opinion
    • Figurative Language
    • Literature
    • Main Idea
    • Making Inferences
    • Point of View
    • Story Elements
    • Text Features Posters
  • Grammar
    • Parts of Speech
    • Mechanics
    • Parts of a Sentence
    • Word Usage
    • Punctuation
    • Sentence Structure
  • Vocabulary
    • Alphabet
    • Dictionary Skills
    • Dolch Sight Words
    • Fry Words
    • Phonetics
    • Homographs
    • Homophones
    • Prefixes
    • Proverbs and Adages
    • Root Words
    • Shades of Meaning
    • Suffixes
    • Synonyms Antonyms
  • Composition
    • Editing and Proofing
    • Handwriting
    • Cursive Alphabet
    • Lined Paper
    • Sentence Patterns
    • Topic Sentences
    • Transition Words
    • Essay Introductions
    • Writing Conclusions
    • Writing Prompts

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2008–2018 | k12reader.com | All Rights Reserved.
Free, Printable Reading Worksheets, Lessons and Activities for Classroom use and Home Schooling.

Free Printable Language Arts Worksheets and Resources