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Lots, a lot, plenty

We use lots, a lot and plenty in informal styles to talk about quantities, amounts and degree. Lots and a lot are similar in meaning to much and many. Plenty means ‘enough’ or ‘more than enough’. Lots is even more informal than a lot.

Lots, a lot, plenty with a noun​

When we use lots, a lot or plenty with a noun, we need of:

  • I’ve got lots of plans for today.
  • There’ll be a lot of your friends there.
  • There’s no need to rush. We’ve got plenty of time.
  • Not: We’ve got plenty time.

Lots, a lot, plenty without a noun​

We usually leave out the noun after a lot, lots and plenty when the noun is obvious. When there is no following noun, we don’t use of:

  • A: I haven’t got any money
  • B: Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty. (plenty of money)
  • She didn’t bring anything to eat but we’ve got lots anyway.
  • Not: … but we’ve got lots of anyway.

Formal styles: a great deal of, a good deal of, a large number​

We prefer to use expressions like a great deal of (+ singular uncountable nouns) or a large number of (+ plural nouns) in more formal styles:

  • There’s a great deal of truth in what he said.
  • From here, a large number of roads led back to various parts of the city.
See also
  • Much, many, a lot of, lots of: quantifiers