deal

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "deal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun, verb, and an adjective. Example sentence: I have a great deal on a new car.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No deal is better than a bad deal.

The New York Times

It's a big deal what happened and Jeremy, as any human being would, needs some time out".

The Guardian

We owe him a great deal and wish him every possible success.

The Guardian

The government will scrap the funding guarantees under Labor's 2011 national health reform deal.

The Guardian

"It is a good deal, a deal that meets our core objectives … If this framework leads to a final, comprehensive deal, it will make our country, our allies and our world safer".

The Guardian

"They don't want Iran to become a nuclear power and they will be as sceptical as the Israelis are as to whether this is going to be a real deal.

The Guardian

But there's no conflict, because everyone knows what the deal is.

The Economist

They know the bank they're trading with may be taking the other side of the trade (in the Abacus deal, for instance, the flipbook said that Goldman might be short the securities).

The Economist

The result was that IKB, the German bank in this deal, bought $150 million of notes in this C.D.O.

The Economist

It's not, after all, as if the U.S. economy has never had to deal with big insolvent banks before.

The Economist

Her family called her a "tenacious deal maker" and a "competitor".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deal" as a verb, specify what is being dealt (e.g., "deal cards", "deal with a problem") to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "deal" vaguely. While versatile, its meaning changes based on context. Be specific about what kind of "deal" you are referring to – a business transaction, a personal agreement, or something else entirely. Otherwise, it can make the message unclear.

Linguistic Context

The word "deal" serves multiple grammatical functions. It is primarily used as a noun referring to an agreement or transaction. It also functions as a verb, meaning to distribute, trade, or handle. Additionally, it functions as an adjective referring to something made of deal, and as a proper noun when referring to the town in Kent, England. Ludwig AI highlights the versatility of "deal".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deal" is a versatile term functioning as a noun, verb, adjective, and proper noun, with its primary use denoting agreements, transactions, or the act of distributing. The analysis shows that "deal" is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and formal business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the versatility of "deal" makes it a valuable word in English communication, adaptable to numerous situations and registers. Remember to carefully check your context when using it!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agreement

Focuses specifically on the mutual understanding or arrangement between parties.

transaction

Emphasizes the exchange aspect, often in a business or financial context.

bargain

Highlights the advantageous or cost-effective nature of an offer or agreement.

arrangement

Broadly refers to a plan or understanding, not necessarily formal.

contract

Indicates a formal, legally binding agreement.

pact

Suggests a formal agreement, often between nations or groups.

understanding

Highlights the mutual comprehension and agreement on terms.

settlement

Implies the resolution of a dispute or negotiation.

accord

Conveys a sense of harmony and agreement.

convention

Suggests an agreement on established practices or norms.

FAQs

How can "deal" be used as a verb?

As a verb, "deal" can mean to distribute (like in card games), to trade, or to manage/handle a situation. For example, "I will "deal the cards"", "She "deals in antiques"", or "He knows how to "deal with pressure"".

What are some common synonyms for "deal" when referring to an agreement?

When "deal" refers to an agreement, you can use synonyms such as "agreement", "contract", "pact", or "arrangement", depending on the formality and context.

Is it correct to say "no deal is better than a bad deal"?

Yes, the expression "no deal is better than a bad deal" is a well-known idiom. It means that it is preferable to have no agreement at all than to enter into one that is unfavorable or detrimental.

What does it mean when someone asks "what's the deal?"

The phrase "what's the deal?" is an informal way of asking "what's going on?", "what's the situation?", or "what's the problem?". It is used to inquire about the current state of affairs or to understand what is happening.