dealing on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dealing on" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct phrase would be "dealing in" when referring to trading or engaging in a particular market or commodity. Example: "He has been dealing in rare coins for over a decade."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

By then he was dealing on an awesome scale.

Independent

But we're dealing on a whole different level right now.

The New York Times - Sports

Pharmacists caught dealing on the side in theory face long prison sentences.

The Economist

There has been a bit of wheeling and dealing on preferences at the weekend.

The Guardian

"I'm dealing on some gut levels and they connect to it".

The New York Times - Arts

He's dealing on that high level that perhaps only the initiated can appreciate".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The Bush administration may not be willing to put up with double-dealing on this issue for very long.

The New York Times

I thought the city was just like in the film Warriors: graffiti on the subways, drug-dealing on the East Side.

The Guardian - Music

Stephen Batten QC, prosecuting, said that many of the people involved in the case had been linked to shootings and drug-dealing on the Stonebridge Park Estate in Harlesden, north-west London.

Independent

Drug-dealing on the premises is banned and people must not be intoxicated when they arrive.

BBC

The open corruption of this year's election, with the politicians' self-dealing on term limits, created an evening where the speakers meditated on Democracy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To describe the process of managing a situation, use "dealing with" followed by the issue or person involved. For example: "The negotiator is adept at dealing with complex situations."

Common error

Avoid using "dealing on" when you mean to say "dealing in". "Dealing on" is rarely correct, whereas "dealing in" correctly specifies the items or services being traded. Stick to "dealing in" to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dealing on" functions as a prepositional phrase, often incorrectly used in place of "dealing in" or "dealing with". As noted by Ludwig AI, this usage is generally not considered standard English. Even when present in various sources, the context often suggests a misuse or a non-standard application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "dealing on" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI analysis suggests it is generally not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. The intended meaning often revolves around commerce, negotiation, or management, but the phrase's incorrect usage undermines clarity. Instead, opt for the more precise and grammatically sound alternatives "dealing in" (for commercial activities) or "dealing with" (for managing situations). Although prevalent in news and media, its usage should be carefully considered, especially in formal or professional contexts, due to its incorrect grammatical status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dealing in

Specifies the act of trading or working with particular goods or services.

trading in

Specifically refers to the buying and selling of goods.

dealing with

Focuses on managing or addressing a situation or person, rather than engaging in a specific activity related to something.

engaged in

Highlights active participation or involvement in an activity or process.

working on

Emphasizes the process of developing or improving something.

focused on

Highlights the concentration of effort or attention on a specific subject or goal.

concentrating on

Similar to focusing, but suggests a more intense level of attention.

negotiating over

Emphasizes the discussion and bargaining aspects of a deal or agreement.

centered on

Indicates that something is primarily about a particular topic or theme.

addressing

Focuses on tackling or resolving a problem or issue.

FAQs

What is the correct preposition to use with 'dealing'?

The correct prepositions depend on the context. Use "dealing in" to refer to trading or working with specific items, and "dealing with" to refer to managing situations or people. The phrase "dealing on" is generally incorrect.

When should I use 'dealing in' versus 'dealing with'?

"Dealing in" refers to buying and selling or specializing in specific goods or services. For example, "He's "dealing in" antiques." "Dealing with" refers to managing problems, people, or situations. For example, "She's "dealing with" a difficult client."

Is 'dealing on' ever correct?

While "dealing on" is occasionally found, it's rarely grammatically correct or the best choice. It might appear in informal contexts, but in formal writing, it should be avoided in favor of "dealing in" or "dealing with" depending on the intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to using 'dealing with'?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "handling", "managing", "addressing", or "tackling". For example, instead of "dealing with a problem", you could say "handling a problem" or "addressing a problem".