Distinguishing Between Allot, Alot, & A Lot

Allot vs Alot vs A Lot

Since allot, alot, and a lot are three terms that are often confusing, it is necessary to know the difference between allot and alot and a lot. In fact, there are differences in the usage of the two terms allot and a lot; however there is no word as alot. According to the Oxford English dictionary, allot means ” give or apportion (something) to someone.” A lot usually means a large part or a large portion of something. Alot is often written as a spelling mistake of either a lot or allot. Bearing all these facts in mind, let us now look into these three words again.

What does A Lot mean?

It is interesting to note that a lot is used in an informal way to describe a large part of something. Observe the sentences given below:
There are a lot of mistakes in the sentence.
A lot of people believe in the existence of ghost.
In both sentences given above, you can see the usage of the term a lot. In the first sentence, it describes a great number of mistakes. In the second sentence, it describes a big part of the population.
It is interesting to note that the term a lot is sometimes used as an adverb. As an adverb, it carries with the sense of very much or very often. Observe the two sentences given below:
Nowadays he reads a lot.
He talks a lot these days.
In both the sentences given above the word a lot conveys the meaning of very much or very often when used as an adverb. In the first sentence, it conveys the idea of ‘he reads very much nowadays’. In the second sentence, it conveys the idea of ‘he talks very often these days.’ It is very important to know the difference between the two terms a lot and allot.

What does Alot mean?

On the other hand, there is no word as alot. It is very much possible that the verb allot is used wrongly as alot. In some cases the person who writes might commit a typing error when he writes fast, thereby writing the spelling alot for a lot. In such a case you would correct the blemish only if you could understand the meaning of the word a lot when it is used as an adjective of quantity or as an adverb.

What does Allot mean?

The word allot conveys the meaning of distribute. The word allot has a very interesting usage. If you want to convey the idea of distribution or division, then you can use the word allot in the place of a lot. Look at the following sentence.
The coach allots two hours for the practice session.
In this example, the coach divides the morning time into two hours for the practice session. He distributed practice session for the duration of two hours. In the sentence given, there is no sense of a big portion or large quantity.

What is the difference between Allot and Alot and A Lot?

• A lot is used in an informal way to describe a large part of something. On the other hand, there is no word as alot. The word allot conveys the meaning of distribute.
• A lot is sometimes used as an adverb. As an adverb, it carries with the sense of very much or very often.
• If you want to convey the idea of distribution or division, then you can use the word allot in the place of a lot.

Key Takeaways

• A lot is an informal way to describe a large part of something, and can also be used as an adverb meaning very much or very often.
• Alot is not a word and is often a spelling mistake of either a lot or allot.
• Allot means to distribute or apportion something to someone.