Is it A Lot, Allot, or Alot?
He has a lot of energy today.
The committee decided to allot each member two hours for their presentation.
She bought alot of groceries for the party.
They tried to a lot time to each agenda item.
Did you have allot, a lot or alot of fun? Let’s clear up the confusion … there appears to be a lot.
Which is correct: allot, a lot, or a lot?
First thing’s first: the correct spelling is “a lot” with a space between. “Alot” is incorrect, and a common misspelling that has emerged due to the frequent misuse of the phrase.
| Examples with “a lot” | Examples with “allot” |
| I have a lot to do today. | I completed the test within the time allotted. |
Both allot and a lot are legitimate words/phrases in English, but their meanings are unrelated. Be sure not to confuse them in writing.
A lot is an adverb that means “to a great degree or extent”, or often. For example, “I can’t even guess how much it costs to live here, but it must be a lot.” A lot sometimes functions as a pronoun meaning “many” or “a large amount.” We use ‘a lot‘ to emphasize the amount or extent of something. See the example sentences:
| Sentences with the adverb a lot |
| I have a lot of homework to do. I like to sleep a lot. You should drink a lot of liquids when you’re sick. |
Allot is a verb that means to distribute, allocate, or assign something, typically resources, time, or tasks, among different individuals or purposes. It implies the act of designating portions of something for specific uses. See the verb allot in action (in sentences):
| Sentences with the verb allot |
| Please allot enough time to review your work.
We’re going to allot half of our budget for supplies. Students should allot an hour every day to independent study. |
Other sentences with allot & a lot
| Sentences with allot |
| The manager will allot tasks to each team member based on their skills and strengths.
The professor will allot specific reading assignments for each week of the semester. We must allot a sufficient research and development budget in the upcoming fiscal year. The event coordinator will allot time slots for each speaker during the conference. The judge will allot equal time for both sides to present their arguments. |
| Sentences with ‘a lot’ |
| I have a lot of work to do before the deadline.
She has read a lot of books on various topics. There are a lot of people waiting in line for the concert tickets. He spends a lot of time at the gym to stay fit. The company invested a lot of money in developing its new product. |
Similar words
| Word | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| a lot | very many/much, a large amount, a fair amount, plenty, an abundance, many, a great quantity, a good/great deal, much, a wealth, a profusion |
| allot | assign, allocate, issue, award, grant, administer, earmark for, designate for, apportion. budget for, devote, appropriate for, set aside for |
Associate “allot” (to assign) with “allocate.” “A lot” (quantity) is two words, like “a few,” and “alot” is always incorrect.
The origin of “allot”
|
“Parcel out, divide or distribute as by lots,” late 15c., also alot, from Old French aloter (Modern French allotir) “to divide by lots, to divide into lots,” from à “to” (see ad-) + loter “lot,” a word of Germanic origin. |
Origin of “a lot”
Old English hlot “object used to determine someone’s share” (anything from dice to straw, but often a chip of wood with a name inscribed on it), also “what falls to a person by lot”.
Other confusing words
In review: A Lot or Allot
In summary, “a lot” refers to a large amount or quantity, while “allot” refers to distributing or assigning something.
Practice: A lot or allot?
She eats ______ of vegetables each day.
He has ______ of homework to do tonight.
Writing “______” is always incorrect.
“______” is the only correct form.
Don’t spell it as “______” or “______.”
FAQs
Which is the correct spelling: allot, a lot, alot?
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What does ‘a lot’ mean?
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What does ‘allot’ mean?
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Are ‘a lot’ and ‘allot’ related words?
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Why is ‘alot’ incorrect?
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Yash, D. "A lot, Allot, or Alot (Which is the Right Word?)." Grammarflex, Aug 24, 2025, https://grammarflex.com/a-lot-allot-or-alot/.
