lot

When used to mean 'a large number', the phrase "a lot of" is very common in spoken English. It is generally considered more informal than words like "many" or "much". Note that when "lot" refers to a plot of land or an auction item, it behaves as a standard countable noun (e.g., one lot, two lots). When referring to destiny ("one's lot in life"), the word is used in a more literary or formal way and is less common in everyday conversation.