a lot

IPA/ɐ lˈɒt/
IPA/ɐ lˈɑːt/

a lot — 慣用語

1. used after a verb or before a comparative form to mean by a large amount or to a

1.慣用語A1
釋義

很多；非常

表示程度高或變化大

used after a verb or before a comparative form to mean by a large amount or to a high degree

例句

The twins have grown a lot since the winter school concert.

那對雙胞胎從冬季學校音樂會後長大了很多。

grow a lot to show a big change

My shoulders hurt a lot after carrying those wet boxes upstairs.

搬那些濕箱子上樓後，我的肩膀痛得很厲害。

hurt a lot for strong physical feeling

同義詞
  • much

    is the basic equivalent, but it is less common than a lot in everyday affirmative sentences

  • a great deal

    means almost the same thing but sounds more formal

  • greatly

    is more formal and usually appears in written English

反義詞
  • a little

    shows only a small amount or degree

  • not much

    is the usual opposite when the amount or degree is small

文法句型

grow a lot

help a lot

cost a lot

a lot + comparative adjective

用法筆記

Usually follows the verb, or comes before a comparative form, as in prices went up a lot or the room looked a lot brighter. Before a noun, English normally uses a lot of rather than a lot alone.

常見錯誤

❌I have a lot homework tonight.
✅I have a lot of homework tonight.
💡before a noun, use a lot of + noun.

2. used after a verb to mean on many occasions or with high frequency

2.慣用語A1
釋義

常常

表示事情經常發生

used after a verb to mean on many occasions or with high frequency

例句

Arjun stops by that tea stand a lot after football practice.

Arjun 練完足球後，常常會去那家茶攤。

stop by a lot for repeated visits

We call Grandma a lot when storms keep her indoors.

暴風雨讓 Grandma 不能出門時，我們常打電話給她。

同義詞
  • often

    is the closest neutral synonym and can appear before the main verb

  • frequently

    means the same but sounds more formal

  • regularly

    adds the idea of happening again and again in a usual pattern

反義詞

文法句型

go there a lot

see someone a lot

travel a lot

eat out a lot

用法筆記

Usually comes after the main verb or at the end of the clause. Distinguish this sense from sense 1: here a lot means often, not by a large amount or to a strong degree.

常見錯誤

❌I a lot go there after work.
✅I go there a lot after work.
💡the phrase normally comes after the verb.