A lot, therefore count (6)

I believe the answer is:

sorely

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'a lot' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adverbs. Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'therefore count' is the wordplay.
'therefore' becomes 'so' ('so' can mean 'consequently' or 'therefore').
'count' becomes 'rely' (I've seen this in another clue).
'so'+'rely'='SORELY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sorely that I've seen before include "Extremely, severely" , "Painfully" , "Acutely; very much" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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