# "A lot of" vs "lots of" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 16, 2015, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lot-of-vs-lots-of/737746 "2015-11-16T22:49:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lot-of-vs-lots-of/737746/1 "2015-11-16T22:49:32Z")
Is there a rule on which is correct in a given usage? For example, which (if either) of the following is more correct: _I’ve spent a lot of money on my hobby over the years. I’ve spent lots of money on my hobby over the years._ I feel like there should be some distinction between the plural and the singular but both seem interchangeable. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lot-of-vs-lots-of/737746/2 "2015-11-16T22:54:14Z")
I can see no difference at all grammatically, but the first example seems to scan slightly better. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lot-of-vs-lots-of/737746/3 "2015-11-16T22:59:11Z")
The only difference I can see anyone agreeing on is that “lots of” is more informal. In theory, “lots of” is more than “a lot of,” as there are multiple theoretic “lots.” In practice, though, they are interchangeable. Except I think “lots” often carries a bit more emphasis on the large number. At least, that’s the feel I get in your example. I can’t even read it without putting a slight bit of emphasis on “lots of” that I don’t put on “lot of.” (Technically, I say “lotta” and “lotsa.”) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lot-of-vs-lots-of/737746/4 "2015-11-16T23:06:09Z")
A ‘lot’ is a collection of things. For example, one might go to an auction and buy one lot of knick-knacks. Or they may buy two lots or three lots or whatever. So when I hear ‘a lot’, I think of ‘much’ or ‘many’ of the thing being mentioned. When I hear ‘lots’, I think of many lots of many things. i.e., One lot vs. multiple lots. . ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lot-of-vs-lots-of/737746/5 "2015-11-16T23:10:24Z")
In colloquial English they are interchangeable. Neither is truly acceptable for formal English, so it doesn’t matter there. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lot-of-vs-lots-of/737746/6 "2015-11-16T23:34:06Z")
I did find a post on the on the [English Language and Usage Stack Exchange](http://english.stackexchange.com/a/277245/78353) (ELU) that illustrates a difference between “lots” and “a lot.” Rather then quote the entire post, I’ll summarize: there are times when “lots” refers to frequency while “a lot” refers to quantity. The example is “I’ve eaten lots today” vs “I’ve eaten a lot today.” The first is only frequency, while the second can also refer to quantity. The same post also indicates that there is a construction “That’s a lot of” that cannot be substituted with “That’s lots of.” The example given is “that’s a lot of water,” compared to “that’s lots of water,” which I agree sounds completely unnatural, and would only work in contrived situations. And, yes, I’m aware my “summary” is longer than the post in question. Consider it an explanation instead, as I think I explained it better. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2015, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lot-of-vs-lots-of/737746/7 "2015-11-16T23:52:38Z")
It’s like flammable and inflammable. Pick whatever suits you. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2015, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lot-of-vs-lots-of/737746/8 "2015-11-17T02:12:19Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Rather then quote the entire post, I’ll summarize: there are times when “lots” refers to frequency while “a lot” refers to quantity. The example is “I’ve eaten lots today” vs “I’ve eaten a lot today.” The first is only frequency, while the second can also refer to quantity. The first could easily refer to quantity. > [@](#): > > and would only work in contrived situations. It doesn’t matter if someone can construct a contrived situation. Real speakers don’t distinguish.