alot, a lot and allot - the difference

The word 'alot' does not exist.
'A lot' means a large extent or to a large extent.
'To allot' means to apportion something.

There is often confusion over the words 'alot', 'a lot' and 'allot'.

+ Alot:
This word does not exist. It is often mistakenly written instead of "a lot".

FALSE - "I know alot about precious stones."
TRUE - "I know a lot about precious stones."


+ A lot:
The term 'a lot' is the opposite of 'a little'. As an noun, 'lot' means a large extent, a large amount or a large number. As an adverb, 'lot' means 'to a great extent' or 'to a great degree'. It nearly always appears in the form 'a lot'.

"Mark has a lot of toys."
('Lot' is a noun in this example.)

"He cheats a lot."
('Lot' is an adverb in this example.)


+ Allot:
The verb 'to allot' means 'to give out', 'to apportion', 'to divide' or 'to distribute'. (Other forms of the verb are allots, allotted and allotting.)

"The peasant was allotted just 25m2 to grow his monster pumpkins."
"I will allot a radio to each group."
"You need to allot each syndicate sufficient time to question the presenter."


http://www.grammar-monster.com/easily_confused/alot_a_lot_allot.htm