I wrote this sentence: "The scientists dealing in complex systems have proposed...." But then I thought 'dealing with' would be correct. Are they interchangeable?
Add a comment
|
3 Answers
One can deal in or deal with. When one is talking about scientists, the difference is fuzzy.
Deal in is defined as to have to do with; to be engaged in; to practice; as, they deal in political matters.
Deal with is defined as to treat in any manner; to use, whether well or ill; to have to do with.
Addressing a meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) in San Jose, California, last week, he tried to convince the crowd that they have a responsibility to be not just scientists dealing in objective facts, but also advocates pushing particular policies. -colorado.edu
These philosophies, she maintains, do not provide appropriate guidance for biologists and other scientists dealing with complex situations and systems. - Oxford Jounals
As a one time scientist, I think either is acceptable, with dealing with perhaps being the more common.
answered May 27, 2014 at 5:29
Deal with means there is a struggle or counter no matter how small it is. You might need to deal with a contemptuous father-in-law. You might need to deal with a scratch on your shin.
Deal in means that you interact with something, it's part of your trade, or you actually trade it. I deal in strawberries, meaning I buy and/or sell strawberries.
In your case you are conveying a small struggle that the scientists need to deal with.
-
That's an interesting distinction. I meant the scientists whose main field of research is complex systems. I didn't want to imply any struggle. So I guess 'deal in' is fine. But, then, it's not their trade (in the commercial sense). It's still OK?– ba_ulCommented May 27, 2014 at 5:27
-
It depends if the sentence is more about their profession or their day to day.– RyeɃreḁdCommented May 27, 2014 at 5:29
-
Wiktionary adds the non-struggle senses for 'deal with', Erik: To handle verbally or in some form of artistic expression; to address or discuss as a subject; To take action with respect to (someone or something); To consider, as an example; To come to terms with; to overcome any difficulties presented by; To be in charge of, act on, or dispose of; To ... Commented May 27, 2014 at 8:08
Deal in means to engage in an activity or business. For example, he deals in clothes or cars. Deal with means to tackle a situation or a challenge. The miners have a lot of difficulties to deal with. The teacher threatens to deal with any student who misbehaves.
