a lot of / lots of + plural nounUse a plural noun after the expression when you mean many separate things.
A Lot Of and Lots Of
A2Use a lot of and lots of for large quantities in everyday English. Both work with plural nouns and uncountable nouns.
What you'll learn
- Talk about large quantities with a lot of and lots of.
- Use these patterns correctly before plural nouns.
- Use these patterns correctly before uncountable nouns.
- Recognize that a lot of and lots of mean the same thing.
- Choose noun types that fit after these quantity expressions.
Structure
a lot of / lots of + uncountable nounUse the base noun with no plural ending when the noun is uncountable.
Build a sentence
Phrase
Noun
a lot ofbooks
Maria has a lot of books at home.
Use a lot of before a plural noun for a large number.
When to use
Everyday speech
Use a lot of and lots of in normal conversation to say that the number or amount is large: a lot of friends, lots of time.
Plural things
Use them before plural count nouns: a lot of emails, lots of chairs, a lot of people.
Amounts
Use them before uncountable nouns: lots of water, a lot of work, lots of traffic.
Markers
bookspeoplewatertimemoneyemails
In contrast
vs much-many
Much and many also talk about quantity. A lot of and lots of are more natural in everyday affirmative sentences.
Common mistakes
Wrong
Tom buys lots of apple.
Correct
Tom buys lots of apples.
After lots of with countable things, use a plural noun.
Wrong
We need a lot of informations.
Correct
We need a lot of information.
Information is uncountable here, so it stays singular in form.
Wrong
Lisa has a lot of car.
Correct
Lisa has a lot of cars.
Car is a countable noun, so after a lot of it must be plural.
Wrong
We have lots of time, so a lot of time is wrong here.
Correct
We have lots of time. / We have a lot of time.
Both expressions are correct and mean the same thing here.
Common misconceptions
❝ A lot of and lots of are only for countable things. ❞
They work with plural count nouns and with uncountable nouns: lots of books, a lot of water.
❝ Lots of is wrong and only a lot of is correct. ❞
Both are correct. Lots of is slightly more informal, but it is common and natural.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_FOR_LARGE_QUANTITYw5Use a lot of and lots of for a large quantity
Use these patterns to talk about a big amount or a big number. They work before plural nouns and uncountable nouns.
WITH_PLURAL_NOUNSw5Use a lot of and lots of before plural nouns
Before countable things in large numbers, use a plural noun after a lot of or lots of.
WITH_UNCOUNTABLE_NOUNSw5Use a lot of and lots of before uncountable nouns
With nouns like water, time, and money, use a lot of or lots of + noun. Do not add a plural ending.
A_LOT_OF_AND_LOTS_OF_SAME_MEANINGw3Treat a lot of and lots of as the same in meaning
Both forms mean a large quantity. Lots of is a little more informal, but both are common in everyday English.
PICK_QUANTITY_MARKERSw4Recognize nouns that work after a lot of and lots of
These patterns go before plural nouns and uncountable nouns. They do not go before a singular count noun by itself.