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B1 Adjective, Verb (Past Participle) #26 le plus courant 12 min de lecture

stolen

Top 26

At the A1 level, 'stolen' is a word you might learn when talking about things that are missing. It is the past form of 'steal.' You use it to say that someone took your thing without asking. For example, 'My pen is stolen.' At this level, you don't need to worry too much about the grammar rules. Just remember that 'stolen' means something is gone because a bad person took it. You might hear it in simple stories or when someone is sad because they lost their toy or bag. It is a very important word for telling people about a problem. If you go to a shop and your bag is not there, you can say 'My bag is stolen!' and people will understand you need help. It is one of the first 'crime' words students learn because it is so common in daily life.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'stolen' more correctly with verbs like 'is' or 'was.' You learn that 'stolen' describes the object. For example, 'The car was stolen yesterday.' You also begin to see it in simple past participle uses. You might use it to talk about your experiences, like 'I have never stolen anything.' At this level, you should know the difference between 'stole' (past tense) and 'stolen' (past participle). 'Stole' is for the action: 'He stole my bike.' 'Stolen' is for the state: 'My bike was stolen.' You will see this word in basic news reports or in conversations about safety and personal belongings. It's a key word for describing negative events that happened to you or others.

At the B1 level, you should use 'stolen' confidently in the passive voice and perfect tenses. You understand that 'stolen' focuses on the item, while 'robbed' focuses on the person. This is a very important distinction at this level. You can use 'stolen' to describe more than just physical objects; you might talk about 'stolen ideas' or 'stolen time.' You are also expected to use it as an adjective before a noun, such as 'stolen goods.' You will encounter 'stolen' in more complex texts, like newspaper articles about crime or stories where a mystery needs to be solved. You should be able to explain what happened using 'stolen' in a clear and grammatically correct way, such as 'The police are looking for the stolen jewelry.'

At the B2 level, you use 'stolen' in a variety of sophisticated ways. You understand its metaphorical uses in literature and idiomatic expressions. You can use it in complex sentence structures, such as 'Having had his identity stolen, he spent months trying to clear his name.' You are also familiar with related terms like 'theft,' 'larceny,' and 'burglary,' and you know when 'stolen' is the most appropriate word to use. You can discuss the social and legal implications of stolen property and use the word in formal writing, such as an essay about crime prevention. You might also encounter it in specialized contexts like 'stolen bases' in sports or 'stolen assets' in financial news. Your use of the word is precise and context-aware.

At the C1 level, 'stolen' is a tool for nuanced expression. You can use it to convey subtle meanings in academic or professional settings. You might analyze the 'stolen generations' in a historical context or discuss the ethics of 'stolen cultural heritage' in museums. You are comfortable with all its grammatical forms and can use it effortlessly in high-level discussions. You also recognize and can use more formal synonyms like 'purloined' or 'appropriated' when the situation calls for it. You understand how 'stolen' can be used to create emotional impact in persuasive writing or speeches. Your mastery of the word includes an understanding of its etymological roots and its evolution in the English language.

At the C2 level, your command of 'stolen' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You use it with total precision, whether in a legal brief, a literary critique, or a casual conversation. You are aware of the most obscure idioms and historical references involving the word. You can play with the word's meaning for rhetorical effect, using it in puns or complex metaphors. You understand the deep psychological and sociological layers that the word 'stolen' can evoke in different cultural contexts. For you, 'stolen' is not just a vocabulary word, but a versatile element of the language that you can manipulate to express the most complex ideas about ownership, loss, and justice.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

stolen en 30 secondes

Stolen is the past participle of 'steal,' used to describe objects taken without permission or legal right by another person.
It commonly appears in the passive voice (e.g., 'was stolen') and as an adjective (e.g., 'stolen goods') in various contexts.
A key distinction exists between 'stolen' (referring to objects) and 'robbed' (referring to people or places that were victims of theft).
Beyond physical items, it is used metaphorically for ideas, hearts, time, and identities, signifying a sense of unauthorized deprivation or loss.

The word stolen serves as the past participle of the irregular verb 'steal.' In the English language, it functions in two primary capacities: as part of a verb phrase in the passive voice or perfect tenses, and as an adjective describing an object that has been taken illegally. When we describe something as stolen, we are fundamentally addressing a breach of ownership and a violation of legal or moral boundaries. It is a word heavy with the weight of loss and the implication of a crime committed. In everyday conversation, people use 'stolen' to report crimes, express frustration over missing items, or even metaphorically to describe hearts, ideas, or moments that were taken without permission. The nuance of 'stolen' lies in its focus on the object itself. Unlike 'robbed,' which focuses on the victim or the place (e.g., 'The bank was robbed'), 'stolen' focuses on the item that is gone (e.g., 'The money was stolen'). This distinction is vital for clear communication in legal, social, and personal contexts.

Legal Context: In a court of law, 'stolen property' refers to goods acquired through larceny, embezzlement, or theft. The status of being 'stolen' changes the legal rights associated with the item; for instance, a person cannot generally obtain a valid legal title to a stolen object, even if they bought it in good faith.

Emotional Resonance: Beyond the legalities, 'stolen' carries a sense of violation. When a person says their 'stolen' childhood or 'stolen' opportunities, they are using the word to describe a profound sense of unfair deprivation that goes beyond physical objects.

The police managed to recover the stolen artwork after a three-month investigation into the gallery heist.

She felt as though her identity had been stolen after the massive data breach at the credit card company.

The stolen base in the ninth inning proved to be the turning point of the entire baseball game.

He realized too late that his bicycle had been stolen from the rack outside the library.

The author claimed that her plot ideas were stolen by a rival novelist who had access to her early drafts.

Metaphorical Usage: We often hear about 'stolen glances' or 'stolen kisses.' These phrases imply a sense of secrecy or taking something that wasn't officially offered, usually in a romantic or playful context rather than a criminal one.

Understanding 'stolen' requires recognizing the difference between the act of taking and the state of the object. When you say 'Someone has stolen my car,' you are describing the action. When you say 'I am driving a stolen car,' you are describing the car's current status. This versatility makes it one of the most common and essential words in the English vocabulary for discussing property, ethics, and personal loss. Whether you are filling out a police report or reading a mystery novel, 'stolen' is the key term that identifies the central conflict: something that belongs to one person is now in the possession of another without consent.

Using 'stolen' correctly involves mastering its role as a past participle. It is most frequently encountered in passive voice constructions, where the focus is on the object that was taken rather than the person who took it. For example, 'The jewels were stolen' is a complete thought that emphasizes the loss. In active voice, 'stolen' appears in perfect tenses, such as 'The thief has stolen the jewels.' Here, the word completes the action started by the auxiliary verb 'has.' Furthermore, 'stolen' functions perfectly as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate their illicit origin. You might speak of 'stolen goods,' 'stolen property,' or even 'stolen time.' The placement of the word determines its grammatical function, but its core meaning of 'taken without permission' remains constant across all uses.

Passive Voice: In the passive voice, 'stolen' follows a form of the verb 'to be.' This is the most common way to report a crime when the perpetrator is unknown. Example: 'My phone was stolen while I was dancing.'

Present Perfect: When using the present perfect tense, 'stolen' follows 'have' or 'has.' This indicates an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past and has relevance to the present. Example: 'Someone has stolen the last piece of cake!'

By the time the alarm went off, the hackers had already stolen thousands of customer records.

The stolen vehicle was found abandoned in a ditch three miles from the crime scene.

If your credit card is stolen, you should notify your bank immediately to freeze the account.

The museum is famous for its collection of stolen artifacts that were returned to their countries of origin.

He felt a sense of guilt for having stolen the spotlight from his sister during her graduation ceremony.

Adjectival Phrases: 'Stolen' often appears in compound phrases like 'stolen-property report' or 'stolen-car database.' In these cases, it acts as a descriptor for the type of report or database.

In summary, 'stolen' is a versatile word that bridges the gap between action and description. Whether you are describing a physical object that has been taken or a more abstract concept like a 'stolen heart,' the word consistently points to an unauthorized acquisition. Mastery of its use in passive and perfect tenses is a hallmark of reaching the B1 level of English proficiency, as it allows for more complex and accurate descriptions of events and states of being.

The word 'stolen' is ubiquitous in modern life, appearing in news headlines, legal documents, entertainment, and daily grievances. In the realm of news and media, 'stolen' is the standard term for reporting on everything from high-stakes art heists to cyber-attacks involving 'stolen data.' You will hear it in police procedurals on television, where detectives search for 'stolen vehicles' or 'stolen identities.' In the world of sports, particularly baseball, 'stolen' is a technical term used when a runner advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball. In social media and digital culture, people often talk about 'stolen content' or 'stolen memes,' referring to the act of reposting someone else's work without credit. The word also appears frequently in literature and music, often used metaphorically to describe 'stolen moments' of happiness or 'stolen hearts' in romantic ballads. Because theft is a universal human experience, the word 'stolen' resonates across all cultures and social strata.

News & Media: Headlines often use 'stolen' for brevity and impact. 'Stolen Painting Found After Decades' or 'Millions of Stolen Records Leaked Online' are common examples that immediately inform the reader of the crime's nature.

Police & Legal Reports: Official reports use 'stolen' to categorize evidence and property. A 'stolen property report' is a standard document used by victims to claim insurance or help police track missing items.

The news anchor reported that the stolen laptop contained sensitive government information.

In the movie, the protagonist discovers that his life story was stolen and turned into a best-selling novel.

The crowd cheered when the player stolen second base during the final inning of the championship.

I suspect my password was stolen because I can no longer log into my email account.

The lyrics of the song mention a stolen glance across a crowded room, hinting at a secret romance.

Daily Life: In everyday life, you might hear someone complain that their lunch was 'stolen' from the office fridge or that their idea was 'stolen' during a meeting. These uses are less formal but equally common.

Whether in the context of a major crime or a minor social slight, 'stolen' is the word of choice for describing the unauthorized taking of something. Its presence in so many different areas of life—from the baseball diamond to the digital cloud—demonstrates its importance as a foundational concept in the English language. By paying attention to how it is used in these various settings, learners can gain a deeper understanding of its nuances and the social expectations surrounding property and ownership.

One of the most frequent errors English learners make is confusing 'stolen' with 'robbed.' While both words relate to theft, they are used in different grammatical structures and focus on different elements of the crime. 'Stolen' focuses on the object that was taken, whereas 'robbed' focuses on the person or place that was the victim of the theft. For example, you say 'My wallet was stolen,' but 'I was robbed.' You would never say 'I was stolen' unless you were literally kidnapped! Another common mistake is using the past tense 'stole' when the past participle 'stolen' is required. This often happens in perfect tenses or the passive voice. For instance, saying 'He has stole my heart' is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is 'He has stolen my heart.' Understanding these distinctions is crucial for clear and professional communication.

Stolen vs. Robbed: Remember: Things are stolen; people or places are robbed. Correct: 'The money was stolen from the bank.' Correct: 'The bank was robbed of its money.'

Stole vs. Stolen: 'Stole' is the simple past tense (e.g., 'Yesterday, he stole a car'). 'Stolen' is the past participle used with 'have/has/had' or 'be' (e.g., 'He has stolen many cars').

Incorrect: My house was stolen last night. (Correct: My house was robbed, or items were stolen from my house.)

Incorrect: Someone has stole my bike! (Correct: Someone has stolen my bike!)

Incorrect: I was stolen on the street. (Correct: I was robbed on the street.)

Incorrect: The stole car was found. (Correct: The stolen car was found.)

Incorrect: They have stolen the bank. (Correct: They have robbed the bank, or they have stolen money from the bank.)

Confusion with 'Burgled': Similar to 'robbed,' 'burgled' (or 'burglarized' in US English) refers to the place. You say 'My house was burgled,' but 'My TV was stolen.'

By keeping these distinctions in mind, you can avoid the most common pitfalls associated with 'stolen.' Accuracy in these areas not only improves your grammar but also ensures that you are conveying the correct information in sensitive situations, such as reporting a theft to the authorities or explaining a loss to a friend. Practice using 'stolen' with objects and 'robbed' with people to solidify this rule in your mind.

While 'stolen' is the most common word for things taken without permission, the English language offers a variety of synonyms that provide more specific nuances or different levels of formality. Words like 'purloined,' 'pilfered,' and 'filched' each carry a slightly different flavor. 'Purloined' is formal and often used in literature or legal contexts. 'Pilfered' usually refers to stealing small amounts or items of little value, often repeatedly. 'Filched' is informal and suggests a quick, sneaky theft. In a more modern context, we might use 'pirated' for digital content or 'plagiarized' for intellectual property like writing or ideas. Understanding these alternatives allows you to be more precise in your descriptions and better understand the tone of what you are reading or hearing.

Stolen vs. Purloined: 'Stolen' is neutral and common. 'Purloined' is sophisticated and often implies a more calculated or high-stakes theft, such as 'purloined letters' in a mystery novel.

Stolen vs. Pilfered: 'Stolen' can apply to anything. 'Pilfered' specifically suggests small, petty thefts, like someone who has 'pilfered' office supplies over several months.

The purloined documents were found hidden in the diplomat's briefcase during the border search.

He admitted that he had pilfered a few snacks from the pantry when he thought no one was looking.

The filched coins were discovered in the boy's pocket after the shopkeeper noticed the jar was light.

The pirated software caused a major security vulnerability on the company's main server.

The professor realized the student's essay was plagiarized from an obscure academic journal.

Stolen vs. Embezzled: 'Embezzled' is a specific type of theft where someone steals money they were entrusted to manage, such as an accountant stealing from a company.

Choosing the right word depends on the context and the message you want to convey. While 'stolen' is almost always correct, using a more specific term can make your writing more vivid and precise. As you advance in your English studies, try to incorporate these synonyms to expand your descriptive range and better capture the nuances of different situations involving theft.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Neutre

Informel

Child friendly

Argot

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'steal' and its forms like 'stolen' have remained remarkably consistent in meaning for over a thousand years, reflecting the universal human concept of private property.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈstəʊ.lən/

US /ˈstoʊ.lən/

The stress is on the first syllable: STO-len.

Rime avec

swollen colon pollen (near rhyme) solon bowline rollin' stolen golden (near rhyme)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it as 'stole-en' with two distinct, equal syllables.
Confusing the vowel sound with 'stall' (stallen).
Adding an extra 'e' sound at the end (stolenee).
Misprounouncing the 'o' as a short 'o' like in 'stop'.
Dropping the 'n' at the end (stole).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Common in news and stories, easily recognizable.

Écriture 4/5

Requires correct use of past participle and passive voice.

Expression orale 3/5

Frequently used in daily life to report missing items.

Écoute 3/5

Clear pronunciation, though can be confused with 'stole' in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

steal stole take give mine

Apprends ensuite

robbed burgled theft larceny embezzle

Avancé

purloined appropriated plagiarized extorted pilfered

Grammaire à connaître

Passive Voice with Past Participles

The car was stolen (be + past participle).

Present Perfect Tense

Someone has stolen my bag (have/has + past participle).

Past Perfect Tense

By the time I arrived, the money had been stolen (had + been + past participle).

Adjectival Use of Participles

The stolen goods were found in the warehouse.

Irregular Verb Conjugation

Steal (present), Stole (past), Stolen (past participle).

Exemples par niveau

My bag is stolen.

Mon sac est volé.

Simple subject + is + adjective.

Is your phone stolen?

Ton téléphone est-il volé ?

Question form with 'is'.

The toy was stolen.

Le jouet a été volé.

Simple past passive.

He has a stolen apple.

Il a une pomme volée.

Adjective before a noun.

The money is stolen.

L'argent est volé.

Subject + is + adjective.

Where is the stolen bike?

Où est le vélo volé ?

Adjective 'stolen' modifying 'bike'.

My book was stolen at school.

Mon livre a été volé à l'école.

Passive voice with 'was'.

That is a stolen car.

C'est une voiture volée.

Demonstrative + is + adjective + noun.

I think my wallet was stolen on the bus.

Je pense que mon portefeuille a été volé dans le bus.

Passive voice in a dependent clause.

They found the stolen jewelry in a box.

Ils ont trouvé les bijoux volés dans une boîte.

Adjective modifying the object of the sentence.

Has your computer ever been stolen?

Votre ordinateur a-t-il déjà été volé ?

Present perfect passive question.

The police caught the man with the stolen goods.

La police a attrapé l'homme avec les objets volés.

Prepositional phrase with 'stolen goods'.

She was sad because her stolen cat was not found.

Elle était triste parce que son chat volé n'a pas été retrouvé.

Adjective 'stolen' in a complex sentence.

The stolen money was hidden under the bed.

L'argent volé était caché sous le lit.

Passive voice with a location.

We need to report the stolen passport.

Nous devons signaler le passeport volé.

Infinitive phrase with 'stolen'.

He realized his keys were stolen.

Il s'est rendu compte que ses clés avaient été volées.

Past passive in a 'that' clause.

The museum confirmed that several paintings had been stolen during the night.

Le musée a confirmé que plusieurs tableaux avaient été volés pendant la nuit.

Past perfect passive.

Buying stolen property is a serious crime, even if you don't know it's stolen.

Acheter des biens volés est un crime grave, même si vous ne savez pas qu'ils sont volés.

Gerund phrase and adjective use.

She felt as if her heart had been stolen by the charming stranger.

Elle avait l'impression que son cœur avait été volé par le charmant étranger.

Metaphorical use in the past perfect passive.

The stolen vehicle was tracked using its GPS system.

Le véhicule volé a été localisé grâce à son système GPS.

Passive voice with a participle phrase.

Many people have their identities stolen every year through online scams.

De nombreuses personnes se font voler leur identité chaque année par des arnaques en ligne.

Causative-like structure 'have something done'.

The athlete was accused of using a stolen technique from his rival.

L'athlète a été accusé d'avoir utilisé une technique volée à son rival.

Adjective modifying an abstract noun.

He was relieved when his stolen luggage was finally returned.

Il a été soulagé quand ses bagages volés ont enfin été rendus.

Adjective in a temporal clause.

The documentary explores the history of stolen artifacts in European museums.

Le documentaire explore l'histoire des objets volés dans les musées européens.

Adjective modifying a plural noun.

The company suffered a massive blow after their trade secrets were stolen by a competitor.

L'entreprise a subi un coup dur après que ses secrets de fabrication ont été volés par un concurrent.

Passive voice in a subordinate clause.

The protagonist in the novel lives a life of stolen moments and secret meetings.

Le protagoniste du roman vit une vie de moments volés et de rencontres secrètes.

Metaphorical adjective use.

Police managed to recover the stolen funds before they could be laundered.

La police a réussi à récupérer les fonds volés avant qu'ils ne puissent être blanchis.

Adjective modifying a collective noun.

The film depicts the tragic reality of children who were stolen from their families.

Le film dépeint la tragique réalité des enfants qui ont été volés à leurs familles.

Relative clause with passive voice.

She was shocked to find her own words being used in a stolen speech.

Elle a été choquée de voir ses propres mots utilisés dans un discours volé.

Adjective modifying a noun in a complex object.

The stolen base changed the momentum of the entire game.

Le but volé a changé la dynamique de tout le match.

Technical sports terminology.

They were caught trying to sell stolen credit card numbers on the dark web.

Ils ont été pris en train d'essayer de vendre des numéros de carte de crédit volés sur le dark web.

Adjective modifying a compound noun.

The artist claimed that the essence of his work had been stolen by the commercial industry.

L'artiste a affirmé que l'essence de son œuvre avait été volée par l'industrie commerciale.

Past perfect passive with an abstract subject.

The ethical implications of displaying stolen cultural heritage remain a subject of intense debate.

Les implications éthiques de l'exposition du patrimoine culturel volé restent un sujet de débat intense.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

He felt a profound sense of injustice, as if his very future had been stolen from him.

Il ressentait un profond sentiment d'injustice, comme si son avenir même lui avait été volé.

Past perfect passive with 'as if'.

The investigation revealed a sophisticated network dedicated to the distribution of stolen luxury cars.

L'enquête a révélé un réseau sophistiqué dédié à la distribution de voitures de luxe volées.

Adjective in a complex prepositional phrase.

The poet writes about the stolen glances that define the early stages of a forbidden romance.

Le poète écrit sur les regards volés qui définissent les premières étapes d'une romance interdite.

Literary use of the adjective.

The whistle-blower exposed how the company had stolen millions from the pension fund.

Le lanceur d'alerte a exposé comment l'entreprise avait volé des millions au fonds de pension.

Past perfect active in a noun clause.

The stolen election narrative caused widespread unrest across the country.

Le récit de l'élection volée a provoqué des troubles généralisés dans tout le pays.

Compound adjective phrase.

Archaeologists are working to return stolen remains to their ancestral lands.

Les archéologues travaillent à rendre les restes volés à leurs terres ancestrales.

Adjective modifying a sensitive noun.

The software was designed to detect stolen credentials before they could be used for fraud.

Le logiciel a été conçu pour détecter les identifiants volés avant qu'ils ne puissent être utilisés pour la fraude.

Adjective in a technical context.

The novel is a haunting exploration of stolen identities and the fragility of the self in the digital age.

Le roman est une exploration obsédante des identités volées et de la fragilité du soi à l'ère numérique.

Abstract use in a literary analysis.

The diplomat's career was ruined by the scandal of the purloined—or rather, stolen—state secrets.

La carrière du diplomate a été ruinée par le scandale des secrets d'État subtilisés — ou plutôt volés.

Parenthetical correction for emphasis.

The film's cinematography captures the stolen beauty of a city under siege.

La cinématographie du film capture la beauté volée d'une ville en état de siège.

Highly metaphorical and poetic use.

The legal battle over the stolen intellectual property lasted for over a decade, involving multiple jurisdictions.

La bataille juridique sur la propriété intellectuelle volée a duré plus d'une décennie, impliquant plusieurs juridictions.

Complex subject with multiple modifiers.

He lived in a state of perpetual anxiety, haunted by the memory of a stolen childhood.

Il vivait dans un état d'anxiété perpétuelle, hanté par le souvenir d'une enfance volée.

Evocative use of the adjective.

The stolen artifacts were not merely objects, but the stolen soul of a nation.

Les objets volés n'étaient pas seulement des objets, mais l'âme volée d'une nation.

Parallel structure for rhetorical effect.

The hackers utilized stolen administrative privileges to bypass the most secure firewalls.

Les pirates ont utilisé des privilèges administratifs volés pour contourner les pare-feu les plus sécurisés.

Technical use in a complex sentence.

The play concludes with the protagonist realizing that his success was built on a foundation of stolen ideas.

La pièce se termine par la réalisation du protagoniste que son succès a été bâti sur un socle d'idées volées.

Subordinate clause with a passive meaning.

Collocations courantes

stolen property

stolen vehicle

stolen identity

stolen goods

stolen base

stolen glance

stolen heart

stolen moments

stolen ideas

stolen childhood

Phrases Courantes

stolen from under one's nose

stolen credit card

stolen painting

stolen password

stolen laptop

stolen money

stolen bicycle

stolen jewelry

stolen car

stolen phone

Souvent confondu avec

stolen vs robbed

Robbed refers to the victim (person/place); stolen refers to the object.

stolen vs stole

Stole is the past tense; stolen is the past participle.

stolen vs burgled

Burgled refers to the building that was entered illegally.

Expressions idiomatiques

"stolen fruit is sweetest"

Things that are forbidden or difficult to get are more enjoyable.

He knew he shouldn't be dating his boss's daughter, but stolen fruit is sweetest.

informal

"stolen a march on someone"

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

Our competitors have stolen a march on us by launching their product early.

neutral

"stolen the show"

To be the most impressive part of a performance or event.

The young actress has stolen the show with her incredible performance.

neutral

"stolen the spotlight"

To take the attention away from someone else.

The surprise guest stole the spotlight from the main speaker.

neutral

"stolen thunder"

To take the credit for something someone else did or to do something before they can to lessen the impact.

She stole my thunder by announcing her pregnancy right after I announced mine.

informal

"like a stolen car"

To do something very fast or recklessly.

He drove that truck like a stolen car.

slang

"stolen heart"

To make someone fall in love with you deeply.

From the moment they met, she had a stolen heart.

romantic

"stolen moments"

Short periods of time spent doing something secret or special.

They enjoyed stolen moments together in the park.

neutral

"stolen glances"

Quick, secret looks at someone.

The lovers exchanged stolen glances across the room.

literary

"stolen time"

Time taken from one activity to do another, often secretly.

He wrote his novel on stolen time during his lunch breaks.

neutral

Facile à confondre

stolen vs robbed

Both involve theft.

You steal an object, but you rob a person or a place. You can't 'steal a person' (that's kidnapping).

The thief stole my watch. The thief robbed me.

stolen vs stole

They are different forms of the same verb.

Stole is used for the simple past (He stole it). Stolen is used with 'have' or 'be' (It was stolen).

He stole the car. The car was stolen.

stolen vs burgled

Both involve taking things from a property.

Burgled specifically means someone entered a building to steal. Stolen is the general term for the items taken.

My house was burgled, and my TV was stolen.

stolen vs shoplifted

It is a specific type of stealing.

Shoplifted is used specifically for stealing from a store during business hours.

He shoplifted a candy bar. The candy bar was stolen.

stolen vs looted

Both involve taking things illegally.

Looted implies taking things during a time of chaos, like a riot or war, often in large quantities.

The museum was looted during the revolution. Many artifacts were stolen.

Structures de phrases

My [noun] is stolen.

My pen is stolen.

The [noun] was stolen [time/place].

The bike was stolen yesterday.

Someone has stolen my [noun].

Someone has stolen my wallet.

I have a stolen [noun].

I have a stolen phone.

The [noun] had been stolen before [event].

The jewels had been stolen before the guards arrived.

Being [adjective], the [noun] was [verb].

Being stolen, the car was difficult to sell.

The [noun] of stolen [noun] is [adjective].

The recovery of stolen artifacts is complicated.

Rarely has a [noun] been so [adverb] stolen.

Rarely has a heart been so completely stolen.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written English.

Erreurs courantes

My house was stolen. → My house was burgled.
You cannot pick up a house and carry it away. 'Stolen' is for movable objects. For buildings, use 'burgled' or 'robbed'.
He has stole my money. → He has stolen my money.
After 'has' or 'have,' you must use the past participle 'stolen,' not the simple past 'stole'.
I was stolen yesterday. → I was robbed yesterday.
People are robbed; objects are stolen. Saying 'I was stolen' means someone kidnapped you.
The stolen car was finded. → The stolen car was found.
The past participle of 'find' is 'found.' This is a common error where students mix up irregular verb forms.
He stole my heart. → He has stolen my heart. (or) He stole my heart.
While 'He stole my heart' is correct in the simple past, many learners use 'stole' when they mean the present state 'stolen'.

Astuces

Use with Auxiliary Verbs

Always remember that 'stolen' needs a helping verb like 'is,' 'was,' or 'has' when it's part of a verb phrase. Don't say 'He stolen it'; say 'He has stolen it' or 'It was stolen.'

Stolen vs. Robbed

This is the most common mistake! Just remember: Things are stolen, people are robbed. If you lose your phone, it was stolen. If someone took it from you at gunpoint, you were robbed.

Pronunciation Stress

Put the emphasis on the 'STO' part of the word. A clear STO-len will make you sound much more natural and easy to understand.

Metaphorical Use

Don't be afraid to use 'stolen' for things like 'stolen glances' or 'stolen moments.' It adds a poetic and descriptive touch to your English writing.

Legal Awareness

In many places, 'possession of stolen property' is a crime even if you didn't steal it yourself. The word 'stolen' carries significant legal weight.

Identify the Participle

When you hear 'stolen,' look for the object it describes. It will help you quickly understand who lost what in a story or news report.

Sports Terms

If you're watching baseball, 'stolen' isn't a bad thing! It's a skill. Context is everything when you hear this word in a sports broadcast.

The 'N' Rule

The 'n' at the end of 'stolen' can remind you that the item is 'Nowhere' to be found because it was taken.

Synonym Choice

Use 'pilfered' for small things and 'purloined' for fancy things. It makes your English sound more advanced and precise.

Digital Theft

In the age of the internet, 'stolen' often refers to data. 'Stolen identity' and 'stolen passwords' are very common phrases you should know.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'STOLEN' car being 'STOWED' away in a secret garage. Both words start with 'STO'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person in a black-and-white striped shirt carrying a bag with a large dollar sign on it—the classic image of a thief with stolen goods.

Word Web

theft thief robbed missing police crime property taken

Défi

Try to write three sentences using 'stolen': one as an adjective, one in the passive voice, and one in the present perfect tense.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Old English word 'stelen,' which is the past participle of 'stelan' (to steal). It has roots in the Proto-Germanic word '*stelaną.'

Sens originel : To take away secretly and without right.

Germanic

Contexte culturel

Be mindful when using 'stolen' in historical contexts, as it can refer to traumatic events like the displacement of peoples.

In English-speaking countries, reporting stolen property to the police is the standard first step for insurance claims.

The Stolen Generations (Australian history) The Purloined Letter (Edgar Allan Poe) Stolen (2012 film starring Nicolas Cage)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Reporting a crime

My [item] was stolen.
I need to report a stolen [item].
When was it stolen?
Do you have a description of the stolen [item]?

Sports (Baseball)

He stole second base.
That was a great stolen base.
How many stolen bases does he have?
The catcher couldn't stop the stolen base.

Romance/Literature

A stolen kiss.
Stolen moments together.
He has stolen my heart.
They shared a stolen glance.

Digital Security

Stolen identity.
Stolen passwords.
My data was stolen.
Protect yourself from stolen credentials.

Academic/Professional

Stolen ideas.
Plagiarized or stolen content.
Intellectual property was stolen.
The report was based on stolen data.

Amorces de conversation

"Have you ever had anything stolen from you while traveling?"

"What would you do if you found out you accidentally bought a stolen item?"

"Do you think 'stolen ideas' are as serious as stolen physical property?"

"What is the most famous stolen object you have ever heard about in the news?"

"How can people best protect their identities from being stolen online?"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a time you lost something and thought it was stolen, only to find it later.

Describe a fictional movie plot centered around a famous stolen artifact.

How does the feeling of having something stolen differ from simply losing it?

Discuss the ethical implications of museums keeping stolen cultural treasures.

Write a poem or short story titled 'The Stolen Moment'.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

The correct form is 'my car was stolen.' 'Stolen' is the past participle required for the passive voice. 'Stole' is only used for the simple past tense, like 'Someone stole my car.'

No, you should say 'I was robbed.' 'Stolen' is used for objects. If you say 'I was stolen,' it sounds like someone picked you up and carried you away like a piece of luggage!

The main difference is the object of the verb. You steal things (money, cars, jewelry) and you rob people or places (a person, a bank, a house). For example: 'The thief stole $100' and 'The thief robbed the bank.'

Yes, 'stolen' can function as an adjective. You can use it before a noun to describe its status, such as 'a stolen bicycle' or 'stolen goods.' In this role, it describes the noun rather than acting as a verb.

It is pronounced STO-len. The first syllable rhymes with 'go' or 'stow,' and the second syllable is a very short 'luhn' sound. The stress is on the first syllable.

In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a runner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is in the process of throwing the ball to the batter. It is a legal and strategic part of the game.

Yes, you can use 'stolen' metaphorically for non-physical things like ideas, jokes, or even a person's identity. For example, 'He felt his idea was stolen by his colleague.'

A 'stolen heart' is a romantic idiom meaning that someone has made another person fall deeply in love with them. It implies that the love was taken or captured, often in a charming way.

The word 'stolen' is neutral and can be used in any context, from a casual conversation with a friend to a formal police report or a legal document.

There isn't one single opposite, but words like 'returned,' 'purchased,' 'earned,' or 'gifted' can serve as opposites depending on the context of how the item was acquired.