Meaning trap
deal with
be about a topic
to be concerned with or focus on a particular subject or issue.
phrasal verbB2common
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
be about a topic
to be concerned with or focus on a particular subject or issue.
deal with (handle a problem)
Another meaning of 'deal with' is 'handle a problem'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- The documentary deals with climate change and its effects on wildlife.study
- Many university courses deal with topics that are relevant to modern society.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: deal with + noun/pronoun
WrongThe book deals about the war.
RightThe book deals with the war.
'Deal WITH' a topic — not 'deal about'.
Patterndeal with + noun/pronoun
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Deal with' is the natural verb for what a text/topic is about; 'is concerned with the subject of' is wordy.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
deal with + topicwith the theme of...with issueswith the question of...with history
Don't confuse it
Not about solving a problem, but about the main subject.
Related
- deal with (handle a problem) — Another meaning of 'deal with' is 'handle a problem'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.