Page 189 - Oxford_English_Grammar_Course_Basic_2015

a lot of and lots of

A lot of and lots of are common in an informal style. They mean the same.

I haven't got a lot of time just now. He's got lots of money and lots of friends.
We can use both expressions before singular (uncountable) or plural nouns.
• a lot of / lots of + singular subject: singular verb

A lot of his work is good. Lots of his work is good. (NOT Lots of his work arc good.)
• a lot of / lots of + plural subject: plural verb

A lot of his ideas are good. (NOT A lot of his ideas is geeeh) Lots of his ideas are good.
If we use a lot or lots without a noun, we don't use of.
'Have you got a lot of workT 'Yes, a lot.' (NOT Yes, a lot of:)

^ Circle the correct answer.

1 Lots of people have/has computers now. 5 A lot of my friends work/works in London.
2 There is/are lots of cinemas near here. 6 'Any letters for me?' ‘A lot / A lot of.'
3 Lots of snow has/have fallen today. 7 A lot of things need/needs to change.
4 'Problems?' 'Yes, alot/ a lot of.’ 8 There is/are lots of food in the fridge.

In affirmative (Q) sentences in not much hair not many teeth
conversation, a lot of and lots of are
more natural than much/many (see page 173).
\Ne eat a lot of vegetables.
(NOT We-eatmany vegetables.)
This car uses lots of petrol.

a lot of/lots of hair a lot of/lots of teeth

Plenty of can be used in the same way as a lot o f/ lots of.

^ Put in plenty o f with words from the box.

eggs food ideas pa in t/ patience time warm clothes water *1

What do you need:

► if you're painting a big house? .?f 4 if you're in the Arctic? .............

1 if you're very hungry? ................................ 5 if you're making a big omelette?
2 if you've got a lot of work? ................................ 6 if you're crossing the desert? ..

3 if you work with small children? ............................ 7 if you're writing a novel? ........

Q GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY: tow ns
Make sure you know the words in the box. Use a dictionary if necessary.Then write four
sentences about a town, using a lot o f I lots o f / plenty / not much / not many,

bookshops cinemas hotels industry libraries markets nightlife
parks restaurants theatres traffic

^ ( ia, Oxford there are. a Lot o f wtuseutwcs; therein vvot ^

1 In ...................................................................................................................................................

2 ......................................................................................................................................................................................
3 .......................................................................................................................................................
4 .......................................................................................................................................................

174 DETERMINERS