Deal vs. Deal with

Attribute	Deal	Deal with
Definition	An agreement or arrangement between parties	To handle or cope with a situation or person
Partners	Usually involves two or more parties	Can involve one or more parties
Focus	Primarily on reaching an agreement	Primarily on managing a situation
Outcome	Results in a deal being made	Results in a situation being resolved

Definition

Deal and deal with are two commonly used phrasal verbs in the English language. While they may seem similar at first glance, they actually have distinct meanings and uses. Deal typically means to distribute or give out something, while deal with means to handle or manage a situation or problem.

Usage

When using deal, you might say "The company deals in electronics," indicating that the company sells electronics. On the other hand, deal with is used in a sentence like "I need to deal with this customer complaint," meaning that you need to address or resolve the complaint.

Context

Deal is often used in a business or transactional context, such as "Let's make a deal," referring to negotiating a business agreement. Deal with, on the other hand, is more commonly used in personal or professional situations where action or resolution is required, such as "I have to deal with a difficult coworker."

Connotation

Deal can sometimes have a neutral or even positive connotation, as in "He got a good deal on that car." Deal with, however, often implies a sense of challenge or difficulty, as in "I have to deal with a lot of stress at work."

Examples

• Deal: "The company deals in luxury goods."
• Deal with: "I need to deal with my procrastination habit."

Frequency

Deal is generally used more frequently in everyday language compared to deal with. This is likely due to the broader range of contexts in which deal can be used, from business transactions to casual conversations. Deal with, on the other hand, is more specific in its usage and is often reserved for situations that require problem-solving or management.

Formality

Deal is considered more formal than deal with in many cases. For example, in a business setting, it is common to use deal when discussing negotiations or agreements. Deal with, on the other hand, may be seen as more casual or conversational, especially when referring to personal matters or challenges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while deal and deal with may seem similar on the surface, they have distinct meanings, uses, and connotations. Deal is often used in business contexts and implies distribution or negotiation, while deal with is more focused on handling or managing a situation or problem. Understanding the differences between these two phrasal verbs can help you communicate more effectively in various situations.