Common Mistakes : Deal

Deal – Noun

BAD: We have received a great deal of complaints

GOOD: We have received a large number of complaints

BAD: English contains a great deal of words

GOOD: English contains a great many words

BAD: A great deal of countries have already signed the agreement

GOOD: Many countries have already signed the agreement

a great/good deal of + uncountable noun: ‘a great deal of money/time/pleasure

a large number of + plural count noun: ‘a large number of coins/cars/tourists

a great/good many + plural count noun: ‘This operation has already saved the lives of a great many people

When there is no need to emphasize the size of the number, use many or (especially in informal styles) a lot of : ‘Many people have stopped smoking

Verb

BAD: We have to find a new way of dealing crime

GOOD: We have to find a new way of dealing with crime

BAD: I don’t have enough time to deal all the questions

GOOD: I don’t have enough time to deal with all the questions

deal with a problem or situation that requires action or attention: ‘Customer complaints are dealt with by Mr Adams.’ ‘How should the government deal with the AIDS crisis