al-lat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, official, administrative, planning contexts.
Quick answer
What does “al-lat” mean?
To give or assign something, such as time, money, tasks, or resources, to someone as their share or portion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To give or assign something, such as time, money, tasks, or resources, to someone as their share or portion.
To officially allocate or distribute portions of something (e.g., land, shares, duties) according to a plan, system, or authority. Can imply a formal, often limited or fixed, distribution.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Slightly more frequent in official/administrative contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral-formal. Suggests systematic or fair distribution.
Frequency
Similar moderate frequency in both; common in legal, governmental, project management, and educational contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “al-lat” in a Sentence
allot sth to sb/sthallot sb sthbe allotted to sb/sthVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “al-lat” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council will allot the new housing grants in April.
- Each team was allotted a specific research area.
American English
- The program allots fifteen minutes for public comments.
- She was allotted a corner office after her promotion.
adverb
British English
- None. The form 'allottingly' is virtually non-existent.
American English
- None. The form 'allottingly' is virtually non-existent.
adjective
British English
- Not commonly used as adjective. Past participle 'allotted' functions adjectivally: 'the allotted time'.
American English
- Not commonly used as adjective. Past participle 'allotted' functions adjectivally: 'her allotted tasks'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The committee will allot the marketing budget to various departments next quarter.
Academic
The study allotted participants randomly to control and test groups.
Everyday
I need to allot two hours each evening to study for my exam.
Technical
The scheduler allots CPU time slices to each running process.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “al-lat”
- Confusing spelling with 'a lot' (two words). Incorrect: 'I have allot of work.' Correct: 'I have a lot of work.' / 'I will allot time for work.'
- Using without a direct object or recipient. Weak: 'They allotted for the project.' Better: 'They allotted funds for the project.' or 'They allotted funds to the project.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Allot' and 'allocate' are very close, often interchangeable, implying distribution of portions (money, time, resources). 'Assign' is broader, used for tasks, roles, or people, not necessarily involving dividing a resource. You assign homework or a person to a job; you allot time or funds.
It's moderately common, but it belongs to a more formal or administrative register than 'give' or 'share'. You'll frequently encounter it in official documents, project plans, legal texts, and academic writing.
'A lot' (two words) means 'many' or 'much'. 'Allot' (one word) is a verb meaning 'to distribute'. A mnemonic: You need 'A LOT' of space between the 'a' and the 'lot' when you mean 'many'.
Yes, very commonly. E.g., 'Funds were allotted to the department,' 'A spacious room was allotted to the visiting delegation.'
To give or assign something, such as time, money, tasks, or resources, to someone as their share or portion.
Al-lat is usually formal, official, administrative, planning contexts. in register.
Al-lat: in British English it is pronounced /əˈlɒt/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈlɑːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specifically. Often found in set phrases like 'allot time/money'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A LOT' needs to be divided and given out. 'Allot' is like giving 'a lot' into portions.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE PORTIONS TO BE DISTRIBUTED. TIME IS A RESOURCE TO BE PORTIONED.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'allot' INCORRECTLY?