How do Americans speak English so fast? Let's study this phrase.
A lot of becomes 'A lotta'. 'A' and 'of' have the same pronunciation, ə.
And notice that t turns into a flap, a d, ə'lod_ə, ə'lod_ə.
I have a lot of work to do today. They need a lot of help.
There are a lot of reasons why I like you.