"A lot" - as it is written: together or separately

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

To understand how the word "a lot" is spelled correctly: together or separately, a thorough immersion in the rule will help. If you study it, the correct spelling will be remembered, you no longer have to constantly refer to the dictionary and the Internet.

How to spell a word correctly: together or separately?

"A lot" or "not a little" - both spellings will be correct. But you should pay attention to the context in which the word is used. It should be written together if the adverb is used in the meaning "a lot". Separate spelling is assumed in three cases:

• the sentence uses the conjunction "a" as an opposition;
• before the word there is one of the constructions: "at all", "by no means", "far";
• next to it there is a word with a negative particle "no".

To understand the difference, two examples should be considered:

• We have traveled many roads, which helped to achieve the global goal.
• It was by no means a little passed, you can arrange a halt.

Both options are allowed. To choose the correct one, before writing a word together or separately, you need to pay attention to the context.

Interesting! How to spell goodbye together or separately

Fused spelling

The adverb "a lot" comes from the qualitative adjective "small", the prefix "not" and the suffix "o". In the process of word formation, an antonym is formed with the help of a negative particle. In accordance with the rule, an adverb formed from a quality adjective and ending in "o" or "e" should be written together with the prefix "not".

Examples:

• He had a lot of positive characteristics from previous jobs.
• He did a lot for the company after 10 years.

To check the spelling of an adverb, the word "a lot" is used.

If the word "a lot" is replaced in a sentence by the synonym "a lot" without losing the meaning, then the adverb with the prefix "not" should be written together.

Examples:

• He had a lot of mistakes in the text. - He had a lot of mistakes in the text.
• He told me many exciting life stories. - He told me many exciting stories from life.

Separate spelling

Variants of writing the particle "not" with the adverb separately are exceptions to the basic rule. There are 3 conditions, the presence of one of them in the sentence indicates the spelling of the word "little" separately from the particle "not".

Contrast

If the conjunction "a" is opposed to an adverb in a sentence, the words should be written separately.

For example:

• He had not few, but a lot of raspberries.
• The boy, not a little, but many times redid the work, until the teacher liked it.

It is necessary to follow the context, the opposition should refer to the adverb "not a little".

Interesting! As it is also spelled - together or separately

Reinforcing structure

In Russian, there are constructions that reinforce the negation:

• "Far from";
• "Not at all";
• "Not at all";
• "Not at all" and the like.

Their presence in a sentence next to the word "little" indicates a separate spelling of the adverb with a particle. The negation of "not" is part of the construction.

Examples:

• He did quite a few assignments, but it seemed to the teacher that it was not enough.
• He had a lot of money, but Anna preferred another.

Presence of negation with "no"

If in the sentence before the word "a lot" there is an additional negation starting with "no", the adverb should be written separately. The "not" particle will also be part of the structure.

Example:

1. Not a few words were said by the count, but Tatiana remained adamant.
2. In St. Petersburg, there are many warm summer days when you can stroll around the city and enjoy its beauty.

Outcomes

When wondering how to spell "a lot", you should refer to the rule. Depending on the context, the adverb should be written together or separately. If the word “little” is preceded by the construction “not at all”, “not at all” and the like, an additional negation with the prefix “neither” or in the sentence there is an opposition with the union “a”, “not” should be written separately. In other cases, adverbs formed from quality adjectives and having the "o" suffix are written together with the "not" particle.