(#52)
Diction:
a lot &
all right
From the UWF Writing Lab’s
101 Grammar Mini-Lessons Series
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.