Alot is not a word but two words and this error is seen a lot in many countries including those where English is the main language. Kids spell what they hear and they hear these two words run together.

The matter is not that simple and lot has several meanings.

I want a lot of icecream. = much icecream

I parked my car in the lot. = a parking lot

I bought lot #14 at an auction. = a collection of things at an auction

I looked at a lot of land, lot #16. = a parcel of land, acres or hectares.

Lots can mean land lots, collections at auctions, or several parking lots but you cannot use the word in the following way:

I had lots of icecream yesterday. Why is this very common error wrong?

It is wrong because the correct form is: I had a lot (much) of icecream. Icecream is singular.

Now, give the kids spoken and written writing practice using various forms of lot and lots.

Complex Example: There are lots of parkings lots on the building lots around the auction house. That was the place where I bought a lot of lots in the first auction Monday morning.
Is your head swimming? You can use simpler examples.
Copyright 2005 Robin Tim Day