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Deal past tense: dealt, dealt
distribute, handle
Deal is an irregular English verb: the past simple of deal is dealt and the past participle is dealt. Learn the three forms together — deal – dealt – dealt.
Verb forms
Base form
deal
/diːl/
Past Simple
dealt
/delt/
Past Participle
dealt
/delt/
Press the speaker button to hear each form. The transcription under each word shows the British pronunciation (IPA).
Example sentences
Base form · deal
Managers deal with difficult situations every day.
Past Simple · dealt
She dealt the cards and the game began.
Past Participle · dealt
The problem has been dealt with successfully.
Key tenses
| Present Simple | Past Simple | Present Perfect |
|---|---|---|
I deal he / she / it deals | I dealt | I have dealt |
| Present Continuous:I am dealing · he / she / it is dealing | ||
Grammar guide
Deal belongs to the ABB group: the past simple and the past participle are the same (dealt). This is the largest group of irregular verbs — you only need to learn one past form.
- Past simple – dealt: a finished action at a definite time in the past. It is used on its own, without an auxiliary.
- Past participle – dealt: after have, has or had (present perfect, past perfect) and after be in the passive voice.
- Questions and negatives in the past simple use did + the base form: Did you deal…? I didn’t deal.
Quick quiz
Which sentence is correct?
Questions about deal
- What is the past simple of deal?
- The past simple of deal is dealt.
- What is the past participle of deal?
- The past participle of deal is dealt.
- What are the three forms of deal?
- The three forms are deal – dealt – dealt: base form, past simple and past participle.
- Is deal a regular or an irregular verb?
- Deal is irregular: its past simple is dealt, not dealed.