A lot vs allot

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Grammarist

A lot and allot are two expressions that are pronounced in the same way and are spelled very similarly, but have different meanings. They are often confused. It can be difficult to learn how to spell English words, because though there are many spelling rules, there are always exceptions. Do not rely on a spell checker to render the correct spelling. To learn the English language, one must learn grammar and the difference between the most commonly misspelled words. Memorizing word lists can help. Often, the difference between two words may be that one is a noun or adjective and one is a verb.We will examine the difference between a lot and allot, their meaning, where they came from, and some examples of their use in sentences.

A lot is like any two-word phrase with the indefinite article (a) followed by a noun (lot). A lot may be a marker used as a counter when a group of people votes. A lot may also refer to a large amount. The term a lot may mean a certain measure of land or a unit of goods. A lot is sometimes spelled as one word, alot, which is always incorrect and is not a word that appears in the dictionary. Why a lot is so often compounded into alot is an interesting linguistic mystery. It may have something to do with the existence of the unrelated verb, allot. The noun lot is derived from the Old English word hlot, which means object that determines a person’s share.

Allot is a verb that means to distribute an amount or to dedicate or award a portion of something. The verb allot is spelled as one word, related words are allots, alloted, alloting, allotment. Allot is derived from the Old French word aloter, which means to divide by lots.

Examples

If you know someone with Alzheimer’s, you may notice that they often spend a lot of time sleeping, especially in the disease’s later stages. (Discovery Magazine)

“There are a lot of unknowns and people are looking for answers as things develop.” (Hamilton Journal News)

A lot on Newbury Street, the popular Boston shopping destination, that the same family had owned for more than a century sold for $40 million in July. (The New York Times)

Former LSU football coach Les Miles may be looking for a job with another team, but he’s keeping a home in Baton Rouge after selling his residence and eventually might build on a lot he owns. (The Advocate)

“We are in the process of asking the government to allot a suitable land for constructing a central library.” (The New Indian Express)

In an order, the commission have authorized Joseph in the capacity of chairman-in-charge of the party to to allot the ‘two leaves’ symbol of the party to the candidate in the byelection in Akalakunnam grama pachayath in the district. (The Times of India)

Rajya Sabha member and former Union Minister for Mines T. Subbarami Reddy on Wednesday urged the BJP-led NDA government to allot captive mines to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP). (The Hindu)