A lot / Alot / Allot

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.

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.

• 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.)

• He/she was allotted just 25m2 to grow their monster pumpkins.

• I will allot a radio to each group.

• You need to allot each syndicate sufficient time to question the presenter.

• He cheats a lot.

• (A lot is an adverb in the above example.)