Purloin vs Steal: Unraveling Commonly Confused Terms

Have you ever wondered about the difference between purloin and steal? These two words are often used interchangeably, but are they actually the same? In this article, we’ll explore the nuances of these two words and determine which is the proper term to use in various situations.

Let’s define the terms. Purloin means to steal something, typically of little value or in a sneaky or underhanded way. For example, someone might purloin a pen from their coworker’s desk. On the other hand, steal means to take something without permission or legal right, typically with the intention to keep it permanently. For example, someone might steal a car.

While the two words have some overlap in meaning, purloin is generally used in situations where the theft is minor or sneaky, whereas steal is used in situations where the theft is more significant or obvious. It’s important to use the right word in the right context to ensure clear communication.

Define Purloin

Purloin is a verb that means to steal something, especially in a sneaky or secretive way. This word is often used to describe thefts that are not violent or forceful, but rather involve the theft of something that is not the property of the thief.

For example, a person might purloin a piece of jewelry from a friend’s house or purloin some money from a coworker’s desk. In both cases, the theft is done without the victim’s knowledge or consent, and is often done in a way that is difficult to detect.

Define Steal

Steal is a verb that means to take something that is not yours without permission or right. This word is often used to describe thefts that are done in a forceful or violent way, such as breaking into a house or robbing a bank.

For example, a person might steal a car or steal a purse from someone on the street. In both cases, the theft is done with the intention of taking something that does not belong to the thief, and is often done in a way that is obvious and noticeable.

While purloin and steal both involve taking something that is not yours, purloin is often used to describe thefts that are done in a sneaky or secretive way, while steal is often used to describe thefts that are done in a forceful or violent way.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using words correctly in a sentence is important to convey the intended meaning and avoid confusion. The words “purloin” and “steal” are often used interchangeably, but they have subtle differences in meaning and usage.

How To Use “Purloin” In A Sentence

“Purloin” is a verb that means to steal something, especially in a sneaky or underhanded way. It is often used to describe theft of small or insignificant items. Here are some examples of how to use “purloin” in a sentence:

• She was caught trying to purloin a candy bar from the store.
• The thief managed to purloin the keys to the safe without anyone noticing.
• He was accused of purloining office supplies from his workplace.

It is important to note that “purloin” is a formal and somewhat outdated term, and may not be commonly used in everyday speech.

How To Use “Steal” In A Sentence

“Steal” is a verb that also means to take something without permission or right, but it is a more general term that can be used in a variety of contexts. It can be used to describe theft of any type of item, regardless of its value or significance. Here are some examples of how to use “steal” in a sentence:

• Someone stole my bike from the front yard.
• The company was accused of stealing trade secrets from a competitor.
• He was caught trying to steal a car from the parking lot.

Unlike “purloin,” “steal” is a more common and everyday term that is used in both formal and informal contexts.

Overall, it is important to use the correct word in a sentence to accurately convey the intended meaning. While “purloin” and “steal” may have similar meanings, they have subtle differences in usage and connotation that should be taken into account.

More Examples Of Purloin & Steal Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how “purloin” and “steal” are used in sentences. These examples will help you better understand the subtle differences between the two words.

Examples Of Using Purloin In A Sentence

• He was caught trying to purloin a diamond necklace from the jewelry store.
• The thief managed to purloin several valuable paintings from the museum.
• She was accused of purloining company funds to pay for her personal expenses.
• The spy was able to purloin classified documents from the government building.
• He tried to purloin a copy of the exam before it was administered.
• The cat managed to purloin a piece of chicken from the kitchen counter.
• The hacker was able to purloin sensitive information from the company’s database.
• She was caught trying to purloin a designer dress from the boutique.
• The employee was fired for purloining office supplies for personal use.
• The thief attempted to purloin a rare book from the library.

Examples Of Using Steal In A Sentence

• The burglar stole several valuable items from the house.
• He was caught stealing money from the cash register.
• The company’s confidential information was stolen by a competitor.
• The thief stole a car from the parking lot.
• She was accused of stealing her friend’s jewelry.
• The hacker stole personal information from thousands of customers.
• The pickpocket stole a wallet from a tourist on the street.
• The employee was fired for stealing company property.
• The shoplifter was caught stealing a bottle of perfume from the store.
• The thief attempted to steal a painting from the art gallery.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

In the English language, it is common to use words interchangeably without realizing that they have different meanings. Two words that are often used interchangeably are “purloin” and “steal.” However, these words have different meanings, and using them interchangeably can result in confusion and miscommunication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using these words:

1. Using “Purloin” As A Synonym For “Steal”

One common mistake people make is using “purloin” as a synonym for “steal.” While both words involve taking something that does not belong to you, they have different connotations. “Purloin” implies stealing something in a sneaky or underhanded way, while “steal” is a more general term that can refer to any act of taking something without permission.

For example, if someone takes a pen from their coworker’s desk without asking, they could say they “stole” the pen. However, if they took the pen while their coworker was on a lunch break and tried to do it without being seen, they could say they “purloined” the pen.

2. Using “Steal” In Place Of “Purloin”

Another common mistake is using “steal” in place of “purloin.” While “steal” is a more general term, it does not convey the same sense of sneakiness or underhandedness that “purloin” does. If you want to convey the idea that someone stole something in a sneaky or underhanded way, you should use “purloin” instead.

3. Using “Purloin” Incorrectly

Finally, another common mistake is using “purloin” incorrectly. Some people use “purloin” to mean “borrow” or “take temporarily,” but this is incorrect. “Purloin” always implies taking something without permission, so if you want to convey the idea of borrowing or taking something temporarily, you should use a different word.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the differences between “purloin” and “steal” and use them correctly. Here are some tips to help you avoid these mistakes:

• Always double-check the definition of a word before using it.
• If you’re not sure which word to use, look up synonyms to see if there’s a better fit.
• When in doubt, use “steal” as a more general term.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “purloin” and “steal” can depend on the context in which they are used. While the two words are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences in meaning that can affect how they are used in certain situations.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between purloin and steal might change:

Context	Appropriate Word Choice	Explanation
Legal Proceedings	Steal	In a legal setting, the word “steal” is more appropriate as it is a commonly used legal term.
Informal Conversation	Purloin	In a casual conversation, the word “purloin” may be used to add a touch of humor or to sound more sophisticated.
Historical Context	Purloin	In a historical context, the word “purloin” may be more appropriate as it was more commonly used in the past.

As seen in the examples above, the appropriate choice between “purloin” and “steal” can vary depending on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the tone and formality of the situation before deciding which word to use.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using purloin and steal may seem straightforward, there are some exceptions where these rules may not apply. It’s important to understand these exceptions so that you can use these words correctly in context.

Exceptions For Purloin

One exception to the rule for using purloin is when it is used in a humorous or lighthearted manner. In this case, purloin can be used to describe taking something in a playful or non-threatening way. For example:

• She purloined a cookie from the jar when no one was looking.
• He purloined a pen from his coworker’s desk as a prank.

Another exception to the rule for using purloin is when it is used in a legal context. In some legal systems, purloin may be used as a technical term for theft of a specific type of property. For example:

Property Type	Legal Definition of Purloin
Animals	To take an animal with the intent to steal it
Documents	To take a document with the intent to steal information or property

Exceptions For Steal

One exception to the rule for using steal is when it is used in a figurative or metaphorical sense. In this case, steal can be used to describe taking something without permission or in a way that is not physically tangible. For example:

• She stole his heart with her beautiful singing.
• He stole the show with his incredible performance.

Another exception to the rule for using steal is when it is used in a legal context. In some legal systems, steal may be used as a technical term for theft of a specific type of property. For example:

Property Type	Legal Definition of Steal
Motor Vehicles	To take a motor vehicle with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it
Firearms	To take a firearm with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it

Practice Exercises

Here are some practice exercises to help readers improve their understanding and use of purloin and steal in sentences:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank in each sentence:

Sentence	Word Choices
The thief tried to ___ the jewels from the store.	purloin, steal
He was caught ___ candy from the store.	purloining, stealing
She ___ a pen from her coworker’s desk.	purloined, stole
The detective was able to ___ the stolen artwork.	locate, purloin
He was accused of ___ money from his employer.	stealing, purloining

Answer Key:

• The thief tried to steal the jewels from the store.
• He was caught stealing candy from the store.
• She stole a pen from her coworker’s desk.
• The detective was able to locate the stolen artwork.
• He was accused of stealing money from his employer.

Exercise 2: Sentence Writing

Write a sentence using each of the following words:

• Purloin:
• Steal:

Answer Key:

• Purloin: The cat burglar attempted to purloin the rare diamond necklace from the museum.
• Steal: The pickpocket was able to steal the tourist’s wallet without being noticed.

Conclusion

After exploring the nuances of purloin versus steal, it is clear that these two words are not interchangeable. While they both refer to the act of taking something that does not belong to you, purloin carries a connotation of sneakiness and deception, while steal is a more straightforward term.

It is important to be aware of these subtle differences in language use, as they can greatly impact the tone and meaning of your writing. By choosing the right word for the job, you can communicate your message more effectively and avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.

Key Takeaways

• Purloin and steal are not interchangeable words.
• Purloin carries a connotation of sneakiness and deception, while steal is a more straightforward term.
• Choosing the right word for the job can greatly impact the tone and meaning of your writing.

As with any aspect of grammar and language use, there is always more to learn. By continuing to study and expand your knowledge, you can become a more effective communicator and writer.