(also lots informal) a large amount or number 大量,许多
We’ve spent a lot on the children’s education.
我们在孩子的教育上花费甚多。
‘How many CDs have you got?’ ‘Lots.’
“你有多少张CD?”“多着呢。”
a lot of
They paid a lot of money for that house.
他们花了很多钱买下那幢房子。
I eat a lot of vegetables.
我吃很多蔬菜。
There were lots of people at the party.
聚会上来了很多人。
an awful lot (also a whole lot informal) (=a very large amount or number) 很多,极多
He spends an awful lot of time on the computer.
他将大量时间花在计算机上。
a lot to do/learn/say etc
I still have a lot to learn.
我还有很多东西要学。
It’s a great city, with lots to see and do.
这座城市很棒,有很多可看的东西和可做的事情。
5REGISTER 语体
A lot is fairly informal and lots is informal. In written English, use many followed by a plural noun, or a large amount followed by an uncountable noun. a lot 较不正式, lots 很不正式。在书面英语中,复数名词前可用 many ,不可数名词前可用 a large amount
This was unpopular for a lot of reasons. the matter. → This was unpopular for many reasons. 这不受欢迎有很多原因。 They spent a lot of money. → They spent a large amount of money. 他们花了很多钱。
5GRAMMAR 语法
Use a singular verb if you are using a lot of or lots of before an uncountable noun, and a plural verb if you are using it before a plural noun. 如将 a lot of 或 lots of 用在不可数名词前,用单数动词 ; 如用在复数名词前,则用复数动词
A lot of money was spent on it.
为它花了很多钱 。
Do not say 'lot of' or 'a lots of'. 不要说 ‘lot of’ 或 ‘a lots of’.
A lot of people were killed.
很多人遇害 。
Do not use a lot of with ‘years’ or ‘days’. Say many years/days or a long time. 不要将 a lot of 与 years 或 days连用,要说 many years/days 或 a long time 。
nGRAMMAR: Comparison
a lot of
A lot of is fairly informal and is mainly used in spoken English or informal written English.
You can use a lot of with a plural noun and a plural verb:
A lot of people were hurt.
You can use a lot of with an uncountable noun and a singular verb:
A lot of money was spent on it.
lots of
Lots of is more informal than a lot of, but is used in exactly the same way.
You say:
Lots of people were hurt.
Lots of money was spent on it.
many, a large amount of
In written English, you usually use many or a large amount of.
You use many with a plural noun and a plural verb:
Many people were hurt.
You use a large amount of with an uncountable noun and a singular verb:
A large amount of money was spent on it.
When talking about years, days, weeks etc, you usually use many instead of a lot of:
The book took many years to write.
✗Don’t say: The book took a lot of years to write.