"do with" vs "deal with"

[Vaok]

what's the differences between do with and deal with? how to use them? thanks.

[Inga]

I think they are alike. Or not?
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[Lost_Soul]

Hi,

You can deal with your problems, meaning you try to solve them.
You can also do with what you have on hand, meaning that you are content with it, and will not complain about your "tough luck", that you don't have more.

[Yankee]

.
Good explanations, Alex. :D
You can find another definition of the verb phrase 'do with' here:
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=do+with&r=66
(Your explanation of 'do with' also fits the phrase 'make do with'.)

As is often the case, it is the context of the entire sentence (and also the broader context) that ultimately determines which meaning the words and phrases in it have. There is at least one very obvious illustration of this in one of the test sentences on this site. In that sentence, all of the individual words of a common idiom are used in a sentence. However, the idiom itself is not actually used in the sentence. :wink:
.
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[Lost_Soul]

[Yankee]

It gladdens my heart (and I am also tickled pink) to know that your brain has managed to retain the information about that non-use of an idiom. :lol:
.
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Vaok]

_____ will you ______ the naughty boy?
A. What, do
B. How, deal with

which is right? why? thanks.

[Yankee]

.
Only option B works grammatically, Vaok.

Option A can only work grammatically with additional words. For example:
What, do to
-OR-
What, do about
-OR-
What, do with
.
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Vaok]

Sorry. it's like this:

_____ will you ______ the naughty boy?
A. What, do with
B. How, deal with

[Nessie]

Yea, and when the two options are acceptable, what is the difference between them?
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Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Alan]

Hi Nessie,

'Do with' in the context of 'the naughty boy' is possibly how you will punish him/make him do to pay for what he has broken.

'Deal with' suggests 'treat' in the sense of the way you approach him and explain to him what he has done wrong.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Nessie]

Very clear explaination, Grandpa. Thanks a lot :P
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...