Have you ever been robbed? It’s a terrible feeling! What did they steal?
STEAL and ROB are two words related to crime, but it’s good to know which one to use.
STEAL
A thief steals things. It is an irregular verb. (STEAL<< STOLE>>STOLEN)
A thief might steal your cell phone, your wallet, or even your car.
We typically use the passive tense to describe the crime.
- Active: A thief stole my purse.
- Passive: My purse was stolen. (by a thief)
ROB
When a thief enters your home or business and takes something from you, we can say that you have been robbed.
Robbed is for places or people, and it is a regular verb. (ROB<<ROBBED>>ROBBED)
We typically use the passive tense to talk about being robbed.
- Active: Three thieves robbed the bank.
- Passive: The bank was robbed. (by three thieves)
THIEF, THIEVES (pl.)
A thief is a general term to call someone who takes things that aren’t theirs. For more specific crimes, use the following names:
- A robber robs banks
- A burglar enters and robs homes and jewelry stores
- A kidnapper steals children
- A pickpocket steals from people in busy, public places
- A pirate steals technology like software, movies or music files
- A hacker steals digital information, like emails or passwords
- A hijacker steals control of airplanes or other forms of transportation
- A shoplifter steals things from stores like clothing, cosmetics, or food
Crime is never a fun experience, but it is interesting to think about and talk about. What makes people want to steal? Have you ever stolen anything that didn’t belong to you? Maybe a pen, or a hotel towel? Come on, be honest! Read more in this funny post about the 7 little things that people often steal. How about you?
