English grammar: A lot of

What this grammar point covers

"A lot of" is a phrase in English that means there is a large quantity or number of something. It can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns.

When to use it

Use "a lot of" when you want to say there is much or many of something, but you don't need to give an exact number or amount. It works for both things you can count (like apples) and things you cannot count (like milk).

Key forms

• "a lot of" + countable noun (plural): a lot of books
• "a lot of" + uncountable noun: a lot of water

Examples

Tips

• Remember: Use "a lot of" with both countable and uncountable nouns.
• "A lot of" is informal. In formal writing, you can use "many" (for countable) or "much" (for uncountable).
• Do not say "a lot of informations"; some nouns are always uncountable in English.