were dealt with

USAGE SUMMARY

'were dealt with' is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used when discussing how a problem or issue was resolved. For example: The complaints filed against the company were dealt with quickly and efficiently.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were dealt with.

Independent

Those who questioned the militia's authority were dealt with harshly.

The New York Times

He said they were dealt with as fully as possible.

The Guardian - Books

Other offenders against censorship were dealt with even more harshly.

The New York Times - Arts

Another 19,137 were dealt with through cautions.

The Guardian - Opinion

DR. HORN: Which cases were dealt with in this secret supplementary protocol?

Yale University

They were dealt with us cautiously but they did not cause any harm to us.

The Guardian

Last year up to 15% of emergency calls were dealt with by private sector ambulances.

The Guardian

Trump repeatedly spoke fondly of a time when hecklers were dealt with more severely.

The Washington Post

Cases were dealt with one at a time, with no collective perspective.

The Guardian - Opinion

The MDC and others critical of the government were dealt with harshly.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were dealt with", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity about what was handled.

Common error

Avoid using "were dealt with" without a clear subject. For instance, instead of "Issues were dealt with", specify "Customer complaints were dealt with promptly" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were dealt with" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a particular action or issue was handled. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this construction is commonly used to describe how something was managed or resolved, shifting the focus from the actor to the action received by the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were dealt with" is a versatile passive construction used to describe how issues, problems, or actions have been managed or resolved. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. It's important to maintain clarity by specifying the subject of the phrase. Alternatives such as "were handled" or "were resolved" can be used to add variety to your writing. While its register is generally neutral, ensuring precise usage will enhance your communication. With high frequency in News & Media and Science, "were dealt with" proves to be an invaluable tool for effectively describing completed processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were handled

Replaces "dealt with" with a more general term for managing a situation.

were managed

Similar to "were handled", but emphasizes the organizational aspect of dealing with something.

were addressed

Focuses on the act of giving attention to and attempting to solve a problem.

were resolved

Highlights the successful conclusion or solving of a problem.

were taken care of

An informal alternative emphasizing the completion of required actions.

were processed

Suggests a systematic or procedural approach to handling something.

were rectified

Implies that something was made right or corrected.

were attended to

Emphasizes that something received the necessary attention.

were sorted out

An informal way to say that problems or difficulties were resolved.

were taken in hand

Suggests a firm and decisive approach to managing something.

FAQs

How can I use "were dealt with" in a sentence?

You can use "were dealt with" to describe how a situation, problem, or issue was managed or resolved. For example, "The complaints "were dealt with" efficiently", or "The ethical concerns "were dealt with" promptly".

What are some alternatives to "were dealt with"?

Some alternatives to "were dealt with" include "were handled", "were managed", or "were resolved", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "were dealt with" or "were treated with"?

"Were dealt with" typically refers to managing or resolving an issue, while "were treated with" refers to how someone or something was regarded or handled. For example, "The problem "were dealt with" swiftly", but "The patients "were treated with" respect."

What is the difference between "were dealt with" and "were addressed"?

"Were addressed" focuses on giving attention to a problem, while ""were dealt with"" implies that the problem was actively managed or resolved. Addressing a problem is often the first step before dealing with it.