首先,前两个的汉语意思均为“许多、大量”,a lot意为“、许多非常”;其次,a lot of 与lots of修饰的是可数名词复数(apples,boxes, dictionaries and so on)和不可数名词(homework,sugar,oil and so on),也就是说后接可数名词的复数形式和不可数名词的原形,而a lot修饰动词;最后,a lot of与lots of放在修饰的名词前,而a lot 常放在修饰的动词后。
例如:
(1)There are a lot of things in my parents' room, they looks so nice.在我父母的房间里有很多东西,他们看起来是如此的漂亮。(修饰的词things前,things是可数名词复数);
(2)My friends have lots of bread and milk,so they are full.我的朋友吃了大量的面包和牛奶,所以他们很饱。(修饰的词“bread与milk”前,后接不可数名词);
(3) From the training, I learned a lot about American history. 从培训当中,我学到了很多关于美国的历史。(在learn之后,意为“很多”)
(4)Thanks a lot.非常感谢。(在动词thank之后,意为“非常”)。