the a lot of people

What worries me the most is the a lot of people who think these foods are really what food is supposed to be.

Hello, teachers.
Is "the a lot of people" correct? It doesn't feel right to me.
Thank you.

Perhaps the should be that? I make this kind of typo a lot.

probus said:

Perhaps the should be that? I make this kind of typo a lot.

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I don't think "the" should be "that," because it's not a clause. "a lot of people" is a complement, and who-clause modifies it.

I think "that" should be there and "who" after "a lot of people" should be removed. Did you see this somewhere or did you make it?

Giddyman, if you are going to comment or respond to learner's posts, you must post "not a teacher" in your post. You can add it to your signature so you won't forget.

mawes12 said:

I think "that" should be there and "who" after "a lot of people" should be removed. Did you see this somewhere or did you make it?

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I didn't make the sentence. I saw it somewhere. Thank you.

Not a teacher.

MikeNewYork said:

Giddyman, if you are going to comment or respond to learner's posts, you must post "not a teacher" in your post.

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giddyman is the OP in this thread. Does the OP need to state 'Not a teacher'?

Not as a rule.

giddyman said:

Is "the a lot of people" correct?

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I would say 'the many people' instead, but I am not a teacher.

I think part of the OP's confusion stems from a somewhat obscure use of the word lot: "A group or a person of a particular kind (generally used in a derogatory or dismissive way)."

What worries me the most is the lot (the group) of people who think these foods are really what food is supposed to be.

One could also say:What worries me the most is that a lot of people think these foods are really what food is supposed to be. This one has the more typical use of the word lot.

Where did you see it, giddyman?

bhaisahab said:

Where did you see it, giddyman?

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I'm an editor working at a Korean publishing company. The sentence was in manuscript. It must be a typo. Thank you.

giddyman said:

I don't think "the" should be "that," because it's not a clause. "a lot of people" is a complement, and who-clause modifies it.

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In that case, let me answer your question: "the a lot of people" is obviously incorrect. It is unnatural and makes no grammatical sense. In fact, I think the use of two articles with a single noun is always incorrect, not only in English but in all languages that use articles (also known as determiners in Universal Grammar). On the other hand "that a lot of people..." is correct and clear in meaning. And "that a lot of people think ..." is indeed a clause.

probus said:

"the a lot of people" is obviously incorrect.

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How about 'the lots of people'?

No, that doesn't work, Matthew.