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B1 verb #35 le plus courant 12 min de lecture

stealing

Top 35

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces stealing en 30 secondes

Explication stealing in your Level:

Stealing is a simple word that means taking something that is not yours. When you take a toy from a friend and do not give it back, that is stealing. It is a 'bad' action. In school, teachers tell children that stealing is wrong. You might use this word when you see someone take a pen or a piece of candy without asking. It is important to ask for permission before you take anything. If you take it without asking, people will say you are stealing. This word is very common and easy to understand for beginners.

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At the A2 level, stealing is understood as a basic crime. It means taking property without the owner's permission. You can steal small things like money from a pocket or big things like a car. People who are stealing are called thieves. In many stories, there is a thief who is stealing something valuable. You might hear this word in simple news stories or in cartoons. It is often used with the word 'from', as in 'He is stealing from the shop'. It is a useful word to know for describing simple negative actions and following basic rules.

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Stealing is the act of taking someone else's property with the intention of keeping it and not returning it. At this level, you should know that stealing is a general term for many types of theft. It can happen in many places: at home, in a store (shoplifting), or even online (identity theft). Stealing is illegal and can lead to trouble with the police. You should also start to notice that 'stealing' is the -ing form of the verb 'steal'. For example, 'The man was caught stealing a bicycle.' It is also used in common phrases like 'stealing a glance', which means looking at someone quickly and secretly.

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuances of stealing in different contexts. It is not just about physical objects; it can also refer to stealing ideas, time, or attention. For instance, 'stealing the spotlight' means taking all the attention for yourself. You should be able to distinguish 'stealing' from 'robbing'. Remember: you steal an object, but you rob a person or a place. 'He stole my watch' vs 'He robbed me'. You should also be familiar with the moral and ethical debates surrounding stealing, such as whether it is ever okay to steal if you are starving. This level requires a deeper understanding of the word's social and legal implications.

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In C1, stealing is analyzed as a complex legal and social issue. You will encounter more sophisticated synonyms like 'pilfering', 'purloining', 'embezzling', and 'misappropriating'. Each of these has a specific meaning. For example, embezzlement is stealing money that was entrusted to you. You should be able to use 'stealing' in academic or professional discussions about intellectual property rights and plagiarism. The word also appears in many idiomatic expressions like 'stealing a march on someone', which means gaining an advantage by acting before they do. At this level, you understand the subtle shifts in meaning based on the register and context of the conversation.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of the word 'stealing' and its various connotations. You can discuss the philosophical aspects of property and theft, and how the definition of stealing has evolved with technology, such as in the case of digital piracy and data theft. You are comfortable using the word in highly formal legal documents as well as in very informal slang. You understand the historical etymology of the word and how it relates to other Germanic languages. You can use 'stealing' and its synonyms with precision to convey exact shades of meaning, whether you are writing a legal brief, a literary analysis, or a complex social commentary.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

stealing en 30 secondes

Stealing is the act of taking someone else's property without permission and with the intent to keep it permanently.
It is a crime that can involve physical objects, money, ideas, or digital information and is generally illegal.
The word 'stealing' is the present participle of 'steal' and is often used as a gerund or in continuous tenses.
Common synonyms include theft, shoplifting, and pilfering, while 'stealing' is often confused with 'robbing' in English sentences.

The concept of stealing is one of the most fundamental moral and legal prohibitions in human society. At its core, stealing involves the unauthorized taking of another person's property. This property can be physical, such as a car or a piece of jewelry, or it can be intangible, such as intellectual property, ideas, or even digital data. When we talk about stealing, we are discussing an act that violates the social contract and the personal rights of an individual or entity. The word is used in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from a child taking a cookie without asking to high-stakes corporate espionage involving millions of dollars in trade secrets.

Legal Context: In a legal sense, stealing is often categorized under the umbrella of 'theft' or 'larceny'. It requires the 'intent to permanently deprive' the owner of the item. If someone takes something by mistake, it is not stealing in the eyes of the law, although it may still cause conflict.

The investigation revealed that the employee had been stealing office supplies for several months before being caught on camera.

Beyond the legalities, stealing carries a heavy social stigma. It is viewed as a breach of trust. In interpersonal relationships, stealing a friend's partner's affection or stealing credit for a colleague's work can be just as damaging as physical theft. The word 'stealing' is also used metaphorically. For example, a performer might 'steal the show,' meaning they performed so well that they took all the attention away from the other performers. This usage is positive, showing how the word's meaning can shift based on the situation.

Moral Implications: Most religions and ethical frameworks condemn stealing as it harms the community's stability. It creates a sense of insecurity and fear, as people feel their hard work can be taken away at any moment without justification.

The act of stealing bread to feed a starving family is a classic ethical dilemma discussed in literature like Les Misérables.

In modern digital culture, stealing has taken on new forms. 'Stealing' content from the internet, such as music, movies, or software, is often referred to as piracy. While some argue that digital copying is not the same as physical theft because the original remains, the law generally treats it as a form of stealing intellectual property. This evolution of the word shows how language adapts to technological changes. Whether it is a physical object or a digital file, the core idea remains the same: taking something that does not belong to you without permission.

Emotional Impact: Victims of stealing often feel a sense of violation. It is not just about the monetary value of the lost item; it is about the loss of safety and the feeling that their personal space has been invaded by a stranger.

She felt a deep sense of betrayal after discovering her roommate had been stealing money from her wallet.

The point guard was known for stealing the ball and starting a fast break.

Identity theft involves stealing someone's personal information to commit fraud.

Using the word stealing correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical function as the present participle or gerund of the verb 'steal'. It is most commonly used in continuous tenses to describe an ongoing action or as a noun to describe the concept of theft. For example, 'He is stealing' (present continuous) vs 'Stealing is wrong' (gerund as a noun). It is an irregular verb: steal, stole, stolen. Understanding these forms is crucial for building accurate sentences in English.

Direct Objects: Stealing is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object. You steal 'something' (the object) 'from someone' (the victim). A common mistake is saying 'He stole me,' which implies kidnapping. Correct: 'He stole my phone' or 'He stole from me.'

The thief was caught stealing a valuable painting from the gallery.

In more complex sentences, 'stealing' can be used in passive constructions, though 'stolen' is more frequent there. However, you might see 'He was seen stealing,' where 'stealing' acts as a participle describing the subject's action at the moment of observation. This is a very common structure in crime reports and storytelling. It adds a sense of immediacy and action to the narrative. You can also use it in the perfect continuous form: 'They have been stealing from the company for years,' which emphasizes the duration of the illegal activity.

Phrasal Verbs and Idioms: While 'stealing' itself isn't a phrasal verb, it is often paired with 'away' or 'off'. 'Stealing away' means to leave quietly or secretly. 'Stealing a glance' means looking at someone quickly when they aren't looking.

By stealing a march on their competitors, the company managed to dominate the market early.

When writing about stealing, the tone is usually serious. However, in casual conversation, people might use it lightly. 'Stop stealing my fries!' is a common playful accusation. In this context, the gravity of the word is removed, but the basic meaning—taking something without permission—remains. It is important for learners to distinguish between these registers to avoid sounding overly accusatory in casual settings or too informal in legal or professional ones.

Prepositional Usage: We use 'from' to indicate the source: 'stealing from the rich'. We use 'to' in specific idioms: 'stealing to give to the poor'. We use 'for' to indicate the purpose: 'stealing for survival'.

The hackers were accused of stealing sensitive data from the government servers.

Is stealing ever justifiable in extreme circumstances?

The cat was caught stealing a fish from the kitchen counter.

The word stealing is ubiquitous in daily life, appearing in news reports, entertainment, and everyday conversations. In the news, you will frequently hear it in the context of crime. Reporters might talk about 'stealing cars,' 'stealing identities,' or 'stealing funds.' It is a staple of the evening news, often accompanied by security footage of the act itself. This reinforces the word's association with illegal and harmful activities.

In Media and Film: Heist movies like 'Ocean's Eleven' or 'The Italian Job' revolve entirely around the act of stealing. In these contexts, the act is often glamorized, focusing on the cleverness and skill of the thieves rather than the moral wrongness of the act.

The documentary focused on the art of stealing rare artifacts from war-torn countries.

In the workplace, the word might be heard in HR meetings or during ethics training. 'Stealing time' is a modern concept where employees are paid for hours they didn't actually work, perhaps by browsing the internet or leaving early. This shows how the definition of stealing has expanded to include non-physical assets like time and productivity. Similarly, 'stealing ideas' is a major concern in creative industries, leading to complex copyright and patent laws designed to prevent intellectual theft.

In Sports Commentary: You will hear this word constantly in baseball ('stealing second base') and basketball ('stealing the pass'). In these cases, it is a positive term for a skillful defensive or offensive play.

The crowd roared as the runner succeeded in stealing home plate in the final inning.

In social settings, the word is often used in a hyperbolic or metaphorical way. Someone might say, 'That dress is a steal!' meaning it was very cheap, as if they were stealing it because the price was so low. Or, 'You're stealing my thunder!' when someone else takes the attention or credit for something you were about to say or do. These idiomatic uses are very common in spoken English and are essential for learners to understand to follow natural conversations.

In Digital Spaces: Online, 'stealing' often refers to reposting someone else's memes, photos, or videos without credit. This has led to the rise of watermarking content to prevent digital theft.

The YouTuber complained about other channels stealing his original content and re-uploading it.

The politician was accused of stealing the election through fraudulent votes.

Stop stealing my ideas for the project!

One of the most frequent mistakes English learners make is confusing stealing with 'robbing'. While both involve taking something that doesn't belong to you, they are used differently in a sentence. You 'steal' an object, but you 'rob' a person or a place. For example, you steal a wallet, but you rob a bank. Saying 'He stole the bank' would mean he literally picked up the building and took it away, which is usually not what is meant!

Steal vs. Rob: Steal + Object (The thing taken). Rob + Victim (The person or place taken from). Mistake: 'They robbed my phone.' Correct: 'They stole my phone' or 'They robbed me of my phone.'

The error was in saying he was stealing the store, when he was actually robbing it.

Another common error involves the irregular forms of the verb. Some learners might say 'stealed' instead of 'stole' or 'stolen'. Since 'stealing' is the -ing form, it's often used correctly in continuous tenses, but the past participle 'stolen' is often misused. For instance, 'My bike was stealing' is incorrect; it should be 'My bike was stolen' (passive voice). The word 'stealing' describes the person doing the act, not the object being taken.

Confusion with 'Borrowing': Sometimes people use 'stealing' when they mean 'borrowing without asking'. While technically a form of stealing, 'borrowing' implies the intent to return it. Using 'stealing' can sound much more aggressive than intended.

He wasn't stealing the lawnmower; he just forgot to tell his neighbor he was borrowing it.

Learners also struggle with the preposition 'from'. You steal something *from* someone. You don't 'steal someone something'. For example, 'He stole me a pen' is incorrect in standard English (though it might appear in some dialects meaning he stole a pen for me). To be safe and clear, always use 'He stole a pen from me' or 'He stole a pen for me' depending on the intended meaning. Precision with prepositions is key to mastering this word.

Spelling Errors: Be careful not to spell it 'steeling'. 'Steel' is a metal. 'Steeling yourself' means preparing for something difficult. 'Stealing' is the act of theft. They sound the same but have very different meanings.

The student lost points for writing 'he was steeling the car' in his essay.

The cat is stealing the dog's food again.

Don't confuse stealing with shoplifting, which is a specific type of stealing from a store.

While stealing is the most general term for taking something without permission, English has a rich vocabulary of synonyms that offer more specific nuances. Choosing the right word can make your writing more precise and descriptive. For example, 'pilfering' suggests stealing small amounts or items of little value over time, while 'plundering' suggests stealing on a large scale, often during a war or riot.

Pilfering vs. Stealing: Stealing is general. Pilfering is specific to small, petty items. Example: 'He was caught pilfering stamps from the office' sounds more accurate than 'stealing' if the items are minor.

The warehouse manager was fired for stealing (or more specifically, pilfering) small electronics.

In professional or legal contexts, words like 'embezzlement' and 'misappropriation' are used. Embezzlement is stealing money that you were trusted to manage, such as a bank employee taking money from accounts. Misappropriation is using something for a purpose other than what it was intended for, often involving funds. These words carry more weight and specific legal definitions than the simple word 'stealing'.

Shoplifting and Burglary: Shoplifting is stealing from a retail store during business hours. Burglary involves breaking into a building with the intent to steal. Both are forms of stealing but describe different methods.

The teenagers were caught stealing clothes, an act legally defined as shoplifting.

For intellectual property, 'plagiarism' is the specific term for stealing someone else's words or ideas and passing them off as your own. In the digital world, 'piracy' is used for the illegal copying and distribution of copyrighted material. Using these specific terms shows a higher level of English proficiency and helps avoid ambiguity. When you say someone is 'stealing', it's always good to clarify what and how they are taking it.

Looting: Looting refers to stealing on a large scale, typically during a riot, natural disaster, or war. It implies a breakdown of law and order.

The museum was protected to prevent soldiers from stealing the ancient statues.

He was accused of stealing (or filching) a cookie from the jar.

The act of stealing someone's thunder is a common idiom in office politics.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'stealth' actually comes from the same root as 'steal', referring to the quiet and secret way a thief moves.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈstiːlɪŋ/

US /ˈstilɪŋ/

The stress is on the first syllable: STEE-ling.

Rime avec

Feeling Healing Kneeling Peeling Sealing Ceiling Dealing Appealing

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it as 'steeling' (though they sound the same, the context is different).
Dropping the 'g' too much (stealin'), which is common in slang but should be avoided in formal speech.
Confusing the vowel sound with 'stilling'.
Over-emphasizing the 'ing' sound.
Pronouncing the 't' too harshly.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The word is common and easy to recognize in most texts.

Écriture 3/5

Requires knowledge of the irregular verb forms and correct preposition usage.

Expression orale 2/5

Easy to pronounce and commonly used in daily conversation.

Écoute 2/5

Clearly audible, though can be confused with 'steeling' in specific contexts.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Take Give Mine Yours Bad

Apprends ensuite

Robbery Theft Property Permission Illegal

Avancé

Embezzlement Plagiarism Larceny Appropriation Purloining

Grammaire à connaître

Gerunds as Subjects

Stealing is a serious offense.

Present Continuous for Ongoing Actions

The dog is stealing the cat's food right now.

Passive Voice with 'Stolen'

The car was stolen last night.

Verbs of Perception + -ing

I saw him stealing the money.

Prepositional Phrases with Gerunds

He was arrested for stealing.

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Exemples par niveau

The boy is stealing a toy.

Le garçon vole un jouet.

Present continuous tense: Subject + is + verb-ing.

Is stealing bad?

Est-ce que voler est mal ?

Gerund used as the subject of the sentence.

Do not take my pen; that is stealing.

Ne prends pas mon stylo ; c'est du vol.

Using 'that' to refer back to the action of taking.

The cat is stealing the fish.

Le chat vole le poisson.

Simple present continuous.

He was caught stealing candy.

Il a été surpris en train de voler des bonbons.

Passive construction followed by a participle.

Stealing is not allowed here.

Le vol n'est pas autorisé ici.

Gerund as subject.

Why are you stealing my bread?

Pourquoi voles-tu mon pain ?

Interrogative present continuous.

Stop stealing my ideas!

Arrête de voler mes idées !

Imperative 'Stop' followed by a gerund.

The thief was stealing a car when the police arrived.

Le voleur volait une voiture quand la police est arrivée.

Past continuous used for an action in progress.

He was arrested for stealing from the supermarket.

Il a été arrêté pour avoir volé au supermarché.

Preposition 'for' followed by a gerund.

Stealing money is a serious crime.

Voler de l'argent est un crime grave.

Gerund phrase as subject.

She saw someone stealing her bike.

Elle a vu quelqu'un voler son vélo.

Verb of perception (saw) + object + -ing form.

The dog is always stealing my socks.

Le chien vole toujours mes chaussettes.

Present continuous with 'always' to show a habit.

They were accused of stealing the jewelry.

Ils ont été accusés d'avoir volé les bijoux.

Passive voice + 'of' + gerund.

Is he stealing that laptop?

Est-ce qu'il vole cet ordinateur portable ?

Present continuous question.

I hate stealing; it's dishonest.

Je déteste le vol ; c'est malhonnête.

Gerund as the object of the verb 'hate'.

The hackers were stealing personal data from the website.

Les pirates volaient des données personnelles sur le site web.

Past continuous for a prolonged action.

Stealing a glance at his watch, he realized he was late.

Jetant un coup d'œil furtif à sa montre, il se rendit compte qu'il était en retard.

Participle phrase used to describe a simultaneous action.

He was caught stealing office supplies by the security guard.

Il a été surpris en train de voler des fournitures de bureau par le vigile.

Passive construction with an agent (by the guard).

The movie is about a group of friends stealing a diamond.

Le film parle d'un groupe d'amis qui volent un diamant.

Gerund phrase describing the subject of the movie.

She felt guilty about stealing her sister's clothes.

Elle se sentait coupable d'avoir volé les vêtements de sa sœur.

Adjective + preposition + gerund.

Stealing is often a result of poverty.

Le vol est souvent le résultat de la pauvreté.

Gerund as subject with a linking verb.

The company sued him for stealing trade secrets.

L'entreprise l'a poursuivi pour vol de secrets commerciaux.

Verb + object + preposition + gerund.

He was seen stealing away in the middle of the night.

On l'a vu s'éclipser au milieu de la nuit.

Passive + participle phrase (steal away = leave secretly).

The politician was accused of stealing the limelight from his rivals.

Le politicien a été accusé de voler la vedette à ses rivaux.

Idiomatic use of 'stealing the limelight'.

Stealing copyrighted material is a violation of federal law.

Le vol de matériel protégé par le droit d'auteur est une violation de la loi fédérale.

Gerund phrase acting as a complex subject.

The players were penalized for stealing the ball illegally.

Les joueurs ont été pénalisés pour avoir volé le ballon illégalement.

Passive voice + 'for' + gerund + adverb.

He has been stealing from his employer for over a decade.

Il vole son employeur depuis plus de dix ans.

Present perfect continuous to show duration.

The act of stealing identity can ruin a person's life.

L'acte d'usurpation d'identité peut ruiner la vie d'une personne.

Noun phrase + 'of' + gerund.

She was caught stealing a march on the competition by launching early.

Elle a été surprise en train de prendre de court la concurrence en lançant tôt.

Idiom 'stealing a march' used in a participle phrase.

Stealing is a theme that recurs throughout the novel.

Le vol est un thème qui revient tout au long du roman.

Gerund as subject in a complex sentence.

They were suspected of stealing the election through fraud.

Ils étaient soupçonnés d'avoir volé l'élection par la fraude.

Passive voice + 'of' + gerund.

The corporate spy was tasked with stealing the prototype's blueprints.

L'espion industriel était chargé de voler les plans du prototype.

Infinitive phrase containing a gerund/participle context.

Stealing, in its most abstract form, involves the appropriation of value.

Le vol, dans sa forme la plus abstraite, implique l'appropriation de la valeur.

Gerund as subject with parenthetical explanation.

The documentary explores the ethics of stealing in survival situations.

Le documentaire explore l'éthique du vol dans les situations de survie.

Noun + 'of' + gerund.

He was notorious for stealing the show with his impromptu performances.

Il était célèbre pour avoir volé la vedette avec ses performances impromptues.

Adjective + 'for' + gerund + idiom.

The software prevents users from stealing content via screenshots.

Le logiciel empêche les utilisateurs de voler du contenu via des captures d'écran.

Verb + object + 'from' + gerund.

Stealing thunder from a colleague is a sure way to create workplace animosity.

Voler la vedette à un collègue est un moyen sûr de créer de l'animosité au travail.

Gerund phrase as subject of a complex sentence.

The historical analysis focuses on the British Empire stealing artifacts.

L'analyse historique se concentre sur le vol d'artefacts par l'Empire britannique.

Noun + participle phrase.

Is the act of stealing ever truly victimless?

L'acte de voler est-il jamais vraiment sans victime ?

Interrogative with a gerund phrase.

The pervasive nature of stealing in digital realms challenges traditional notions of property.

La nature omniprésente du vol dans les domaines numériques remet en question les notions traditionnelles de propriété.

Gerund as part of a complex noun phrase subject.

He was accused of stealing a march on the legislative process by lobbying early.

Il a été accusé d'avoir pris de court le processus législatif en faisant du lobbying tôt.

Idiom + gerund phrase.

The protagonist's internal conflict stems from his history of stealing to survive.

Le conflit interne du protagoniste découle de son passé de voleur pour survivre.

Noun + 'of' + gerund + infinitive of purpose.

Stealing the limelight has become a strategic necessity in the attention economy.

Voler la vedette est devenu une nécessité stratégique dans l'économie de l'attention.

Gerund phrase as subject.

The legal definition of stealing varies significantly across different jurisdictions.

La définition légale du vol varie considérablement d'une juridiction à l'autre.

Gerund used as a noun within a noun phrase.

By stealing the initiative, the commander was able to dictate the terms of the battle.

En prenant l'initiative, le commandant a pu dicter les termes de la bataille.

Prepositional phrase with a gerund starting the sentence.

The philosophical debate centers on whether stealing can be morally justified by utility.

Le débat philosophique porte sur la question de savoir si le vol peut être moralement justifié par l'utilité.

Gerund as subject of a subordinate clause.

The artist was criticized for stealing motifs from indigenous cultures.

L'artiste a été critiqué pour avoir volé des motifs aux cultures indigènes.

Passive voice + 'for' + gerund.

Collocations courantes

Stealing cars

Stealing money

Stealing a glance

Stealing the show

Stealing ideas

Identity stealing

Caught stealing

Stealing from the rich

Stealing time

Stealing a march

Phrases Courantes

Caught red-handed stealing

— Caught in the act of stealing with clear evidence.

He was caught red-handed stealing the jewelry.

Accused of stealing

— When someone is officially blamed for the act of theft.

She was accused of stealing the company's funds.

Stealing is a crime

— A factual statement about the legal status of theft.

Remember, stealing is a crime that carries penalties.

Stop stealing my stuff

— A casual command to someone taking your belongings.

Stop stealing my stuff every time you come over!

Stealing for a living

— Describing someone whose primary income comes from theft.

The character in the book made a career out of stealing for a living.

Suspected of stealing

— When people believe someone has stolen something but it isn't proven.

The neighbor was suspected of stealing the package.

Convicted of stealing

— When a court finds someone guilty of the act of theft.

He was convicted of stealing several high-end vehicles.

Stealing a base

— A specific legal move in the game of baseball.

He is excellent at stealing a base when the pitcher isn't looking.

Stealing a kiss

— Quickly and unexpectedly kissing someone.

He tried stealing a kiss before she left.

Stealing the limelight

— Taking all the attention away from others.

The backup dancer ended up stealing the limelight.

Souvent confondu avec

stealing vs Robbing

You steal an object, but you rob a person or place.

stealing vs Borrowing

Borrowing implies permission or the intent to return; stealing does not.

stealing vs Steeling

Steeling means to prepare oneself for something difficult; it sounds the same but is spelled differently.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Steal the show"

— To be the best performer or the center of attention.

The little girl's dance really stole the show.

Informal

"Steal someone's thunder"

— To take the credit or attention for something someone else did or was about to do.

I was about to announce my engagement, but my sister stole my thunder by announcing hers first.

Informal

"Steal a march on someone"

— To gain an advantage over someone by acting before they do.

The tech company stole a march on its rivals by releasing the new phone early.

Neutral

"Steal a glance"

— To look at someone or something quickly and secretly.

She stole a glance at her crush across the room.

Neutral

"Steal away"

— To leave a place quietly and secretly.

They managed to steal away from the party without anyone noticing.

Neutral

"Steal someone's heart"

— To make someone fall in love with you.

The charming puppy stole her heart immediately.

Informal

"Like stealing candy from a baby"

— Something that is extremely easy to do.

Winning the game was like stealing candy from a baby.

Informal

"Steal a look"

— Similar to stealing a glance; looking quickly.

He stole a look at the exam paper on the teacher's desk.

Neutral

"Steal the spotlight"

— To take the focus away from others, often intentionally.

The guest speaker ended up stealing the spotlight from the host.

Informal

"A steal"

— Something that is very cheap; a great bargain.

At only ten dollars, this jacket is a steal!

Informal

Facile à confondre

stealing vs Rob

Both involve theft.

Rob focuses on the victim (person or place), while steal focuses on the object taken.

They robbed the bank and stole the money.

stealing vs Burgle

Both involve taking things.

Burgle (or burglarize) specifically means entering a building illegally to steal.

The house was burgled while they were on vacation.

stealing vs Shoplift

It is a type of stealing.

Shoplift is only used for stealing from a store during business hours.

He was arrested for shoplifting a DVD.

stealing vs Embezzle

It is a type of stealing.

Embezzle specifically refers to stealing money you were trusted to manage.

The CEO was caught embezzling company funds.

stealing vs Plagiarize

It is stealing ideas.

Plagiarize is used specifically for stealing someone's words or creative work.

He was expelled for plagiarizing his final essay.

Structures de phrases

[Subject] is stealing [Object].

He is stealing a pen.

[Subject] was caught stealing [Object].

She was caught stealing candy.

Stealing [Object] is [Adjective].

Stealing cars is dangerous.

[Subject] was accused of stealing [Object] from [Source].

He was accused of stealing money from the bank.

The act of stealing [Object] involves [Concept].

The act of stealing identity involves complex fraud.

By stealing [Object], [Subject] was able to [Action].

By stealing the initiative, the team won the game.

[Subject] kept stealing a glance at [Object].

He kept stealing a glance at his watch.

[Subject] ended up stealing the show.

The little dog ended up stealing the show.

Famille de mots

Noms

Steal (a bargain)

Stealth

Stealer

Verbes

Steal

Stole

Stolen

Adjectifs

Stealing (as a participle)

Stealthy

Stolen

Apparenté

Theft

Thief

Robbery

Larceny

Plagiarism

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written English.

Erreurs courantes

He stole me. → He stole from me / He stole my money.
You cannot 'steal' a person unless you are kidnapping them. You steal an object from a person.
They robbed my car. → They stole my car.
You rob a place or a person, but you steal an object like a car.
My phone was stealing. → My phone was stolen.
The phone is the object that was taken, so you must use the passive voice with the past participle 'stolen'.
He was caught steeling. → He was caught stealing.
The word for theft is spelled with 'ea', not 'ee'. 'Steel' is a type of metal.
I saw him to steal the bread. → I saw him stealing the bread / I saw him steal the bread.
After verbs of perception like 'see', you use the base form or the -ing form, not the 'to' infinitive.

Astuces

Steal vs. Rob

Always remember: Steal the object, Rob the person. You steal a purse, but you rob the lady. This is the most important rule for this word.

Use Specific Synonyms

Instead of always using 'stealing', try 'shoplifting' for stores or 'pilfering' for small items. It makes your English sound more advanced and precise.

Idiomatic Stealing

Learn idioms like 'stealing the show' or 'stealing someone's thunder'. These are very common in movies and daily talk and don't mean actual theft.

Don't write 'Steeling'

Even though they sound the same, 'steeling' (with two e's) is about metal or preparing yourself. 'Stealing' (with ea) is about taking things.

Listen for the 'From'

When you hear 'stealing', listen for the word 'from'. It will tell you who the victim is. 'He was stealing from the company' means the company lost something.

Casual Accusations

You can use 'stealing' playfully with friends, like 'Stop stealing my fries!' but be careful not to use it seriously unless you are sure.

Gerund Usage

Use 'stealing' as a noun to start sentences about the topic, like 'Stealing is a major problem in this city.' It's a very natural way to write.

Robin Hood Context

Understand that in English stories, stealing is sometimes shown as 'good' if it's for a fair reason, like Robin Hood. This is a common cultural theme.

Intent Matters

In English, 'stealing' usually implies you want to keep the item. If you take it by mistake, it's not really stealing, it's just an error.

Long 'E' Sound

Make sure the 'ea' in stealing is a long 'ee' sound, like in 'see' or 'meet'. If it's too short, it might sound like a different word.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Steel' beam being 'Stolen'. The 'ee' in Steel matches the 'ee' in Stealing. You 'steal' the 'steel'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person in a black-and-white striped shirt carrying a large bag with a dollar sign on it, walking away quietly.

Word Web

Thief Crime Police Property Illegal Take Secret Wrong

Défi

Try to use the word 'stealing' in three different ways: as a crime, as an idiom (like 'stealing the show'), and as a quick action (like 'stealing a glance').

Origine du mot

The word 'stealing' comes from the Old English 'stelan', which means to commit a theft. It has roots in Proto-Germanic 'stelaną'. It is related to the Dutch 'stelen' and German 'stehlen'.

Sens originel : To take away secretly or without right.

Germanic

Contexte culturel

Be careful when accusing someone of stealing, as it is a very serious allegation that can lead to legal action or social ostracization.

In the UK and US, shoplifting is a common form of stealing that is strictly enforced with security cameras and guards.

Robin Hood (stealing from the rich) Les Misérables (Jean Valjean stealing bread) The Book Thief (novel by Markus Zusak)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Legal/Crime

Grand theft auto
Petty stealing
Theft charges
Stolen property

Sports

Stealing second base
A clean steal
Stealing the ball
Intercepting a pass

Relationships

Stealing a boyfriend
Stealing someone's heart
Stealing credit
Stealing attention

Shopping

Caught shoplifting
Anti-theft device
Stealing from the store
Security tag

Workplace

Stealing office supplies
Stealing company time
Intellectual theft
Corporate espionage

Amorces de conversation

"Have you ever seen someone stealing something in a movie and felt sorry for them?"

"What do you think is the best way to prevent people from stealing bikes in the city?"

"Is stealing ever okay if a person is doing it to survive or feed their family?"

"In your country, what are the most common things that people are caught stealing?"

"Do you think 'stealing' digital music is the same as stealing a physical CD from a shop?"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a time you thought someone was stealing from you, but it turned out to be a misunderstanding.

Explain the difference between stealing a physical object and stealing someone's idea in your own words.

Describe a character in a story who is known for stealing. Why do they do it, and how do they feel?

If you were a judge, how would you punish someone caught stealing for the first time?

Reflect on the idiom 'stealing the show'. Describe a time you or someone you know did this.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

The main difference is the object of the verb. You steal 'something' (the object), but you rob 'someone' or 'somewhere' (the victim). For example, you steal a wallet from a person, but you rob the person. You steal money from a bank, but you rob the bank. This is a very common mistake for English learners.

It can be both! In the sentence 'Stealing is wrong,' it is a gerund acting as a noun. In the sentence 'He is stealing a car,' it is a present participle used to form the continuous tense. The form is the same, but the grammatical function changes based on how it's used in the sentence.

This is an idiom that means someone performed so well that they became the center of attention, even if they weren't the main star. For example, if a child in a school play does a great job, people might say, 'She stole the show!' It is usually a positive compliment about someone's performance.

Yes, in modern English, taking digital content like music, movies, or software without paying for it is often called 'stealing' or 'piracy'. While the original file remains, the act of taking the value without permission is considered a form of theft by the law and society.

Identity stealing, more commonly called identity theft, is when someone takes your personal information (like your name, social security number, or credit card details) to commit fraud. It is a serious crime that can cause a lot of trouble for the victim's finances and reputation.

No, 'stealing a glance' is not a crime. It is an idiom that means looking at someone or something very quickly and secretly, usually because you are shy or don't want them to see you looking. It is a common way to describe human behavior in social situations.

Common synonyms include theft, shoplifting, pilfering, filching, and purloining. More formal or legal terms include larceny, embezzlement, and misappropriation. The best word to use depends on what was stolen, where it was stolen from, and how formal you want to be.

The past tense of 'steal' is 'stole'. For example, 'Yesterday, he stole a bike.' The past participle is 'stolen', used in passive sentences like 'The bike was stolen.' 'Stealing' is the present participle or gerund form used for ongoing actions or as a noun.

In a legal sense, it is usually not a criminal offense like stealing a car, but in the workplace, it is considered a serious ethical violation. It means being paid for work you aren't actually doing, which can lead to being fired from your job.

This is an idiom that means gaining an advantage over a competitor by doing something before they do. For example, if a company releases a new product before its rival, you could say they 'stole a march on the competition'. It comes from military history.

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