VOA慢速英语2019--How Do You Use 'Deal With?'

 

This week we answer a question we received in an email last week from Mohamad from Iran. He writes,

Question:

“I get confused¹ by the meanings of the verb² ‘deal with.’ Please explain about it if it is possible.”

Answer: Dear Mohamad,

Great question! Let’s deal with it right away. The verb you asked about is what we call a phrasal verb. We also call them two-part verbs³, (or even three-part-verbs). They contain a verb, and adverb, and at times, a preposition⁴.

Deal with as “taking action”

One meaning of “deal with” is to take action or do something. We often use “deal with” when talking about solving a problem. For example, let’s say someone forgot to close the office window before a rain storm hit. Listen:

Rain came in through that window. Can you deal with it?

Sure, I’ll get a towel and dry it.

The second person dealt with the problem by cleaning up the water and, hopefully, closing the window!

Deal with as “trade with”

We also can use “deal with” in relation to buying or selling goods or services.

This phone doesn’t work – and I just bought it last week.

I’ve dealt with that company before. I’m sure they’ll give you a new one.

Deal with as “about”

We also use “deal with” when talking about the subject of a report, film, book and other things.

The report deals with the problem of poverty⁵ among children.

Stephen Hawking’s work dealt with time and the universe.

Phrasal verbs

The next time you hear or read the verb “deal with,” look at the words around it and decide if the meaning is one of these:

take action

trade with

be about

If you want to learn more about verbs like “deal with,” search for “phrasal verbs” in our Everyday Grammar TV series⁶.

I’m Jill Robbins.

Words in This Story

phrasal verb – n. a group of words that functions as a verb and is made up of a verb and a preposition, an adverb, or both

towel - n. a piece of cloth used for drying things

poverty - n. the state of being poor

1 confused   

adj.困惑的，烦恼的

参考例句：

• They asked so many questions that they confused me.他们问了许多问题，都把我弄糊涂了。
• A wise man is never confused.智者不惑。

2 verb   

n.[语]动词

参考例句：

• The sentence is formed from a verb and two nouns.这句子由一个动词和两个名词构成。
• These are the finite forms of a verb.这些是一个动词的限定形式。

3 verbs   

动词

参考例句：

• I have to swot up on phrasal verbs for a test tomorrow. 我不得不为明天的测验努力温习短语动词。
• Verbs that do not take object are called intransitive verbs. 不带宾语的动词称为不及物动词。

4 preposition   

n.介词

参考例句：

• You should cancel this preposition in the sentence.你应该删去句子中的这个介词。
• We use different preposition to talk about time,days,months and seasons.我们用不动的介词来谈论时间，日，月和季节等。

5 poverty   

n.贫穷， 贫困， 贫乏， 缺少

参考例句：

• We must continue to war against poverty and disease.我们一定要继续同贫穷和疾病作斗争。
• He showed his poverty in his knowledge of agriculture.他表现出缺乏对农业知识的了解。

6 series   

n.连续；系列

参考例句：

• The students have put forward a series of questions.学生们提出了一系列问题。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。