lot
‘a lot of’ and ‘lots of’
You use a lot of in front of a noun when you are talking about a large number of people or things, or a large amount of something.
We have quite a lot of newspapers.
There's a lot of research to be done.
In conversation, you can use lots of in the same way.
Lots of people thought it was funny.
You've got lots of time.
When you use a lot of or lots of in front of a plural countable noun, you use a plural form of a verb with it.
A lot of people come to our classes.
Lots of people think writing is based on ideas, but it's much more than that.
When you use a lot of or lots of in front of an uncountable noun, you use a singular form of a verb with it.
A lot of money is spent on marketing.
There is lots of money to be made in advertising.
‘a lot’ and ‘lots’
You use a lot to refer to a large quantity or amount of something.
I'd learnt a lot.
I feel that we have a lot to offer.
You use a lot as an adverb to mean ‘to a great extent’ or ‘often’.
You like Ralph a lot, don't you?
They talk a lot about equality.
You also use a lot in front of comparatives. For example, if you want to emphasize the difference in age between two things, you can say that one thing is a lot older than the other.
The weather's a lot warmer there.
I've known people who were in a lot more serious trouble than you.
You also use a lot with more to emphasize the difference between two quantities or amounts.
He earns a lot more money than she does.
In conversation, you can use lots with the same meaning.
She meets lots more people than I do.