These three expressions are used in informal English. They mean ‘a great quantity of’ or a ‘large number of’.
A lot of / lots of
These expressions can be used before a countable or an uncountable noun.
- A lot of people want to buy cars.
- A lot of money was wasted on the project.
- I have a lot of work to do.
- There is a lot of meat left.
Verbs are a lot of / lots of
If a lot of / lots of is used before a plural subject, the verb is plural. If these expressions are used before a singular noun, the verb is singular.
- A lot of patience is needed to learn a new language. (NOT A lot of patience are needed to learn a new language.)
- A lot of my friends live abroad. (NOT A lot of my friends lives abroad.)
A lot means ‘a great deal’. It is an adverb. Note that a lot is not followed by a noun.
- I like him a lot. (NOT I like him a lot of.)
- She reads a lot.
- James travels a lot.
The expressions a lot of and lots of are rather informal. In a more formal style, we prefer expressions like ‘a great deal of’, ‘a large number of’, much or many.
- A great deal of time is needed to learn a new language.
A lot of and lots of are not normally used in questions or negative sentences.