The verb to deal · Conjugation
Past Simple of deal
The answer: dealt
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to deal is dealt.
Example: She dealt with the problem quickly.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | dealt |
| You | dealt |
| He / She / It | dealt |
| We | dealt |
| You (pl.) | dealt |
| They | dealt |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Dealt said /diːlt/ ❌
Don't say /diːlt/! The vowel changes: deal /diːl/ → dealt /delt/. It is like read /riːd/ → read /red/.
2. Dealed ❌
Deal is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple ends in -t: dealt. It is the same for feel → felt and keep → kept.
3. I dealt the problem ❌
Say deal with a problem, not deal a problem. You need the word with: She dealt with the problem quickly.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of deal?+
The Past Simple of deal is dealt (said /delt/, with a short ea). The past participle is the same: dealt. Deal → dealt → dealt.
Is dealt pronounced like deal?+
No. Dealt is said /delt/, with a short ea like in bread and head. It is not /diːlt/. The vowel changes: deal (/diːl/) → dealt (/delt/).
What does dealt with mean?+
Deal with means (1) to manage a problem or a person, or (2) to take care of something. I'll deal with it means I will take care of it. She dealt with the problem quickly.
Is it didn't deal or didn't dealt?+
Say didn't deal: I didn't deal with the problem. After didn't, the verb goes back to its base form (deal, not dealt).
Why is it not dealed?+
Because deal is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple ends in -t, not -ed: dealt. Dealed is a common mistake: it does not exist.
Related pages: deal Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/deal/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
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