Question

What's the difference between lots of, a lot of and plenty of? When I have to use each one?

Answer 1

Hi!

a) Lots of :

a.1. It is used before a noun.

a.2. It is informal.

a.3. I is used with uncountable and plural nouns

There is lots of water (Uncountable, therefore the verb is singular)

There are lots of people (plural noun, therefore the verb is plural)

The are lots of cars there (plural, therefore the verb is plural)

There are lots of interesting things to do in Madrid (plural.therefore is used the plural)

NOTICE: The verb must agree with the subject.

b) A lot of:

It is just more formal than "lots of". It follows the same rules as "lots of".

There is a lot of water

There are a lot of people

There are a lot of cars there

There are a lot of interesting things to do in Madrid.

• For answers: Are there a lot of cars there?. Answer: Yes, a lot. Also, you can answer "Yes, lots", but it sounds rather informal.

c)Plenty of = More than enough

There's no need to hurry. We've got plenty of time (more than enough)

We have plenty of ideas (more than enough)

There is plenty of food here (more than enough)

As you can see here, it is used with uncountables, and plural nouns.

Answer 2

A lot of and lots of

These are rather informal. There is not much difference between a lot of and lots of. They are both used mainly before singular uncountable and plural nouns, and before pronouns. When a lot of/lots of is used before a plural subject, the verb is plural.

• A lot of my friends live abroad.
• Lots of time is needed to learn a language.

Plenty of

Plenty of means ‘enough and more’. It is used before singular uncountable and plural nouns.

• There is plenty of time.
• Plenty of shops accept credit cards.

Answer 3

Thanks! It helped me a lot!

Answer 4

Thank you very much