Note 152 – Comparing ‘a lot’, ‘alot’ and ‘allot’

Today I am comparing ‘a lot’, ‘alot’ and ‘allot’; however one of them doesn’t exist in the English language. http://oxforddictionaries.com defines the words as follows:

A LOT means “a large number or amount”

ALOT is sometimes used, but is not a word in the English language.

ALLOT is a verb meaning “given or apportion (something) to someone”

Here are some examples in sentences:

• Francis alloted three hours a day for writing.
• I am going to allot the money as follows….
• There was a lot of noise coming from the room next door.

Interesting note: whilst googling ‘alot’ I found a website http://www.alot.com/ which allows you to download popular apps such as Facebook, weather, to do lists, BBC news etc onto a free appbar.  I haven’t tried it and it’s not really relevant to writing, but thought it might benefit someone. 

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Until tomorrow…

Sandra

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Reference list:

Oxford Dictionaries online: http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/allot

Alot website: www.alot.com