lots of

USAGE SUMMARY

"lots of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to indicate a large number of something and is often followed by a plural noun. For example, "The store had lots of books for sale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lots of paper, lots of words.

The New Yorker

"Lots of people and lots of traffic".

The New York Times

Lots of families.

The New York Times

Lots of olives.

The New York Times

Lots of speed.

The New York Times - Sports

"And lots of parking".

The New Yorker

Lots of overtime".

The New York Times

"Just lots of patience.

Independent

CORDELIA: Lots of blue.

The New Yorker

Lots of hands.

The New York Times

"Lots of small rooms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lots of" followed by a plural noun to indicate a large quantity. For example, "There are "lots of" opportunities available."

Common error

Avoid using a singular verb after "lots of" when referring to a plural noun. For example, instead of saying "Lots of books is on the table", say "Lots of books are on the table".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lots of" is as a determiner preceding a noun phrase. It indicates quantity, specifically a large amount or number. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lots of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a large quantity or number. As Ludwig AI reports, this phrase is frequently used in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Wiki articles. While considered neutral to informal, "lots of" serves to emphasize abundance and can be replaced by more formal alternatives like "a great deal of" or "many", depending on the desired tone. Remember to follow it with a plural noun and use a plural verb for correct subject-verb agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many

A basic synonym for "lots of", simpler and often more direct. Usually followed by a plural noun.

tons of

Informal way to express "lots of", indicating a great quantity or amount. Adds emphasis.

a great deal of

Replaces "lots" with "a great deal", emphasizing a large amount or quantity. It tends to be more formal.

a large amount of

Similar to "lots of" but uses "large amount" for a more formal tone.

heaps of

Similar to "lots of" but conveys a sense of informality and abundance.

a multitude of

Emphasizes a very large number, suggesting variety and abundance. It has a more literary feel.

plenty of

Suggests that there is more than enough, implying sufficiency.

a plethora of

Indicates an overabundance or excessive amount, often used for rhetorical effect. More emphatic than "lots of".

numerous

A more concise and formal synonym, directly indicating that there are many.

a good number of

Suggests a substantial quantity, often used when the exact number is not known or is not important.

FAQs

How can I use "lots of" in a sentence?

"Lots of" is used before a plural noun to indicate a large quantity. For example, "We have "lots of" apples" or "There are "lots of" people at the park today."

What's a more formal alternative to "lots of"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "a great deal of", "a large number of", or simply "many" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "alot of" instead of "lots of"?

No, "alot" is a misspelling. The correct phrase is always "lots of", with two separate words.

What's the difference between "lots of" and "a lot of"?

Both phrases have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably to indicate a large quantity. The phrase "a lot of" is technically more formal, though in practice they are very similar.