"a lot of" in questions & negative sentences

[roveracar]

Hi everybody!
I would like to know if it´s possible to use "a lot of" in questions and negatives sentences, eg: "Did you meet a lot of people? Some native speakers say you mustn´t but I´ve never found a grammar rule against it.
Thanks a lot for your help.
Carmen

 

[5jj]

It's fine.

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes, it is. And so is 'I didn't meet a lot of people'.

Rover

 

[Tdol]

Didn't you meet a lot of people? (= I am surprised that you met so few.)

 

[5jj]

Didn't you meet a lot of people! (I am impressed that you met so many.)

 

[Tdol]

Didn't you meet a lot of people! (I am impressed that you met so many.)

Yup.

 

[roveracar]

Thanks a lot for your answers!