Deal with vs. Dealt with

Attribute	Deal with	Dealt with
Verb form	Present tense	Past tense
Usage	Describes the act of handling or managing a situation or problem	Describes the act of having handled or managed a situation or problem
Conjugation	Deal with, Deals with, Dealing with	Dealt with
Part of speech	Verb	Verb

Definition

Deal with and dealt with are two phrases that are commonly used in the English language. "Deal with" is a phrasal verb that means to handle or manage a situation or problem. It is often used in a proactive sense, indicating that someone is taking action to address an issue. On the other hand, "dealt with" is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "deal." It indicates that a situation or problem has already been addressed or resolved.

Usage

When using "deal with," it is typically followed by a noun or pronoun that represents the situation or problem being addressed. For example, one might say, "I need to deal with this difficult customer." On the other hand, "dealt with" is used to indicate that the action of dealing with a situation or problem has already been completed. For example, one might say, "I have already dealt with that difficult customer."

Connotation

There is a subtle difference in connotation between "deal with" and "dealt with." "Deal with" implies that the action of addressing a situation or problem is ongoing or in progress. It suggests that the person is actively working to resolve the issue. On the other hand, "dealt with" implies that the action has been completed and the situation or problem is no longer a concern. It suggests that the person has successfully resolved the issue.

Flexibility

One of the key differences between "deal with" and "dealt with" is their flexibility in terms of tense. "Deal with" can be used in the present tense, future tense, or even the imperative mood. For example, one might say, "I am dealing with this issue," "I will deal with this issue tomorrow," or "Deal with this issue immediately." On the other hand, "dealt with" is specifically used in the past tense or past participle form to indicate that the action has already been completed.

Emphasis

Another difference between "deal with" and "dealt with" is the emphasis they place on the action of addressing a situation or problem. "Deal with" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action, highlighting the process of managing or handling a situation. It suggests that the focus is on the steps being taken to resolve the issue. On the other hand, "dealt with" emphasizes the completion of the action, highlighting the fact that the situation or problem has been successfully addressed and is no longer a concern.

Examples

• Deal with: "I need to deal with this difficult customer."
• Dealt with: "I have already dealt with that difficult customer."
• Deal with: "Please deal with this issue as soon as possible."
• Dealt with: "I have dealt with all the problems that were raised."