If something appears fishy about the title of this week’s grammar tip, you’re on to something. The grammar crime committed most often is spelling the phrase a lot as one word: alot.

This informal phrase refers to extent but is often used to express quantity: She feels a lot better.  I drank a lot of coffee.  Because of the abusive overuse of this phrase, its meaning has become vague.  Writers should consider the situation and may wish to use a more specific word or phrase or eliminate the adverb entirely: she feels better or I drank five cups of coffee.  

Ex: He came over a lot versus He came over every day this week.

Allot is a verb and refers to portioning out or distributing resources or tasks. I allotted those cups for the morning coffee.  Mary was allotted the task of making it. It is refreshingly underused, and its is meaning distinct.

                                                 Definitions

Allot (v):
1. to divide or distribute by share or portion; distribute or parcel out.
2. to appropriate for a special purpose.
3. to assign as a portion.

A lot (adv):
1. to a very great degree or extent.

-from dictionary.com
 

Test your skill by choosing the right word in each sentence.

1. The committee had (allotted, a lot) money to the cause.
2. It took (allot, a lot) of time to document my source correctly, but I was able to avoid plagiarism.
3. I was afraid of (allotting, a lot) time.

Answers

1. The comittee had allotted money to the cause.
2. It took a lot of time to document my source correctly, but I was able to avoid plagiarism.
3. I was afraid of allotting time.

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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