Diction:a lot & all

right

From the UWF Writing Lab’s 101 Grammar Mini-Lessons Series

(#52)

A LOT, ALOT

Despite the popular misspelling, a lot is always two words. The preferred usage is to substitute a lot for several or many. Careful writers of standard English avoid the use of a lot altogether.

INFORMAL: A lot of words in the English language are used interchangeably.

FORMAL: Many words in the English language are used interchangeably.

ALL RIGHT, ALRIGHT The only

acceptable spelling is all right – two l’s and two words.

• Everything seemed all right (not alright) until the argument began.

• One of my favorite songs from the sixties is “It’s All Right” by the Impressions.

Let’s Practice!

• Sam has a lot/alot of time on his hands.

• Jim says he feels alright/all right.

• Sara thinks a lot/many people are bad drivers.

• Sam has a lot of time on his hands.

• Jim says he feels all right.

• Sara thinks many people are bad drivers.