[General] Use of 'a lot of' in negative sentense

[jiaruchan]

I don't have a lot of money.

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Can people here verify if the use of 'a lot of' is correct?
The reason I am asking is that I have heard someone say 'a lot of' cannot be used in a negative sentence, so it should be 'much' instead.

Thank you.

 

[kfredson]

I don't have a lot of money.

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Can people here verify if the use of 'a lot of' is correct?
The reason I am asking is that I have heard someone say 'a lot of' cannot be used in a negative sentence, so it should be 'much' instead.

Thank you.

No, it's perfectly fine in spoken English, whether used in a "positive" or (as here) a "negative" sentence. "A lot of" is somewhat colloquial, however, so many people feel it should be discouraged in written English. "Much" would, in my mind, be the better alternative, but then again I'm a bit old-fashioned.