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Prepositions with nouns

“To deal” or “of deal”?

Neither to deal nor of deal is a normal preposition-plus-noun pattern in standard English when deal is a noun. The correct preposition depends on the meaning and sentence structure.

Quick answer

How “deal” normally works

As a noun, deal commonly appears in phrases such as a deal with someone, a deal on something, or a good deal of something. “Of deal” is not standard English. “To deal” is usually part of the verb phrase to deal with.

They signed a deal with the supplier yesterday.
We got a good deal on the car.
She has a great deal of experience.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
deal with + person/company

Showing an agreement or business relationship

Use with after deal to identify the other side in an agreement.

The company reached a deal with investors.
We negotiated a deal with the publisher.
2
deal on + product/service

Showing a discount or special offer

Use on after deal for a reduced price or offer.

They found a deal on flights online.
I got a good deal on this laptop.
3
deal of + noun

Showing a large amount

Use a good deal of or a great deal of before uncountable nouns.

The project required a great deal of patience.
She showed a good deal of skill.
4
to deal with + problem

Using “deal” as a verb

To deal is usually the infinitive form of the verb deal, commonly followed by with.

We need to deal with the issue quickly.
She learned to deal with stress better.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
to deal
The team is ready to deal with complaints.
Verb infinitive, not a noun phrase.
of deal
This phrase is not standard English.
English does not normally use of directly before deal in this way.
deal with
They made a deal with a local supplier.
Standard noun pattern for agreements.
deal on
We found a deal on hotel rooms.
Standard pattern for offers or discounts.
deal of
She has a great deal of experience.
Part of fixed quantity expressions.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “of deal” as a noun phrase

English does not use this combination naturally.

✕ They discussed of deal yesterday. ✓ They discussed the deal yesterday.

Confusing noun and verb uses

To deal is verbal, while a deal is a noun.

✕ We signed to deal. ✓ We signed a deal.

Leaving out “with” after the verb

Deal as a verb commonly takes with.

✕ She knows how to deal difficult clients. ✓ She knows how to deal with difficult clients.

Using “deal of” without “a good/great”

The quantity expression needs a determiner.

✕ deal of work ✓ a great deal of work

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They signed a deal ___ the distributor.
2. We need to deal ___ the complaint today.
3. She has a great deal ___ experience.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “of deal” ever correct?

Not as a normal English construction. Use a deal, deal with, or another natural phrase instead.

Why does “to deal” sound different from “a deal”?

To deal is a verb form. A deal is a noun meaning an agreement or offer.

Can “deal” be both a noun and a verb?

Yes. As a noun, it means an agreement or bargain. As a verb, it means manage, distribute, or conduct business.

to, amount, in, amount, of, amount "to availability" or "of availability"? "to bed" or "in bed"? "to bit" or "by bit"? "to bottom" or "at bottom"? to, by, from, with or of ear? "to charity", "for charity" or "of charity"? "to coast" or "from coast"? "to cycle" or "of cycle"? "to debut" or "on debut"? "to editor" or "of editor"? "to end" or "on end"?

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