Have you ever wondered what the difference is between the words “steal” and “thieve”? While they may seem interchangeable, there are actually subtle differences between the two.
Firstly, “steal” is the proper word to use when referring to taking something without permission or unlawfully. On the other hand, “thieve” is a less commonly used word and is often considered outdated. It also refers to taking something without permission, but typically in a more sneaky or secretive manner.
Now that we have a basic understanding of the two words, let’s dive deeper into their meanings and usage.
Define Steal
Steal is a verb that means to take something without permission or without the intention of returning it. It involves the act of taking someone else’s property, either by force or stealth, with the intent of keeping it for oneself. Stealing is considered a crime in most societies and can result in legal consequences such as fines or imprisonment.
Define Thieve
Thieve is a less common synonym for steal. It is also a verb that means to take something without permission or with the intention of keeping it for oneself. However, the word thieve is not as commonly used in modern English and may be considered archaic or outdated. It is more commonly used in literature or historical contexts.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
When it comes to using words correctly, it’s important to understand their meanings and how they should be used in a sentence. This is especially true for words that are often used interchangeably, such as “steal” and “thieve.” In this section, we’ll explore how to use these two words properly in a sentence.
How To Use “Steal” In A Sentence
“Steal” is a verb that means to take something that doesn’t belong to you without permission. Here are some examples of how to use “steal” in a sentence:
- He stole my wallet while I wasn’t looking.
- She was caught trying to steal a pair of shoes from the store.
- The thief stole the painting from the museum.
As you can see, “steal” is typically used in the past tense to describe an action that has already taken place. It’s important to note that “steal” is a more common word than “thieve,” and is often used in everyday conversation.
How To Use “Thieve” In A Sentence
“Thieve” is a verb that means to steal something, usually in a secretive or sneaky way. Here are some examples of how to use “thieve” in a sentence:
- The burglars thieved several valuable items from the house.
- He was caught trying to thieve money from his employer.
- The pickpocket thieved the man’s wallet while he was distracted.
As you can see, “thieve” is also typically used in the past tense to describe an action that has already taken place. However, it is a less common word than “steal” and is not often used in everyday conversation. Instead, it is more commonly used in literature or formal writing.
| Steal | Thieve |
|---|---|
| Used more commonly in everyday conversation | Used less commonly in everyday conversation |
| Means to take something without permission | Means to steal in a secretive or sneaky way |
| Examples: He stole my phone. She stole my idea. | Examples: The thieves thieved the jewels. He thieved the car keys. |
More Examples Of Steal & Thieve Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the difference between “steal” and “thieve,” it’s important to see how each word is used in context. Here are some examples of how “steal” can be used in a sentence:
- She stole a glance at her watch.
- He stole the show with his performance.
- The thief stole the car and drove away.
- She stole a kiss from her boyfriend.
- The company’s former CEO was caught stealing money from the company.
- He was accused of stealing ideas from his colleagues.
- The burglar stole jewelry and cash from the house.
- She stole the last piece of cake.
- The pickpocket stole his wallet while he was distracted.
- He stole a base during the baseball game.
Now, let’s take a look at some examples of how “thieve” can be used in a sentence:
- The museum was robbed last night and several valuable paintings were thieved.
- The thief thieved the woman’s purse while she was walking down the street.
- The gang of thieves thieved a shipment of electronics from the warehouse.
- He was arrested for attempting to thieve a car.
- The young boy thieved a candy bar from the store.
- The burglars thieved several expensive items from the house.
- The company’s confidential information was thieved by a former employee.
- She was caught trying to thieve money from her employer.
- The pickpocket was skilled at thieving wallets from unsuspecting victims.
- The gang of thieves was known for thieving cars from parking lots.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words steal and thieve, people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these words are not synonyms, and using them incorrectly can lead to confusion and misunderstandings. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Using “Steal” Instead Of “Thieve”
One common mistake is using the word “steal” when “thieve” is the more appropriate term. While both words refer to taking something without permission, “thieve” is typically used to describe a more covert or sneaky act of stealing, while “steal” can refer to any act of taking something without permission.
For example, if someone takes a candy bar from a store without paying, you could say they “stole” the candy bar. But if someone breaks into a house and takes valuable items, you would be more likely to say they “thieved” the items.
Using “Thieve” Instead Of “Steal”
On the other hand, some people make the mistake of using “thieve” when “steal” is the more appropriate term. This is especially common when people are trying to sound more formal or sophisticated in their writing or speech.
For example, saying “he thieved my heart” instead of “he stole my heart” might sound more poetic, but it’s not grammatically correct and could be confusing to some listeners or readers.
Using “Steal” Or “Thieve” When Another Word Would Be More Appropriate
Finally, another common mistake is using “steal” or “thieve” when another word would be more appropriate. For example, using “steal” to describe borrowing a pen from someone without asking would be an exaggeration. Similarly, using “thieve” to describe someone who accidentally takes something that doesn’t belong to them would be inaccurate.
To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the differences between “steal” and “thieve” and to use them appropriately. Here are some tips:
Tips For Using “Steal” And “Thieve” Correctly
- Think about the context of the situation and whether “steal” or “thieve” is the more appropriate term.
- If you’re not sure which word to use, look up the definitions and examples to get a better understanding.
- Avoid using “steal” or “thieve” when another word would be more accurate.
- Read your writing or speech out loud to make sure it sounds natural and appropriate.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between the words “steal” and “thieve”, context plays a crucial role. Both words are used to describe the act of taking something that does not belong to you, but their usage can vary depending on the situation.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “steal” and “thieve” might change:
| Context | Usage |
|---|---|
| Legal | In a legal context, “steal” is the preferred term. It is used to describe a criminal act of taking someone else’s property without permission. For example, “He was arrested for stealing a car.” |
| Moral | When it comes to morality, “thieve” is often used to describe a more sinister act of stealing. It implies a sense of deception and dishonesty. For example, “She thieved money from her own grandmother.” |
| Informal | In informal contexts, both words can be used interchangeably. For example, “He stole my idea” or “He thieved my idea.” |
As you can see, the choice between “steal” and “thieve” can depend on the context in which they are used. It is important to be aware of the connotations that come with each word and use them appropriately to convey the intended meaning.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using “steal” and “thieve” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to these rules that are worth noting. Here are some cases where these rules might not apply:
1. Legal Terminology
In some legal contexts, the terms “steal” and “thieve” might not be used in the same way as they are in everyday speech. For example, in some jurisdictions, “theft” might be defined as the act of taking someone else’s property without their consent, while “larceny” might be defined as the act of taking someone else’s property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. In these cases, the terms “steal” and “thieve” might not be used at all, or they might be used in a more technical sense.
2. Regional Variations
As with many words in the English language, the use of “steal” and “thieve” can vary depending on the region. For example, in some parts of the UK, “thieve” might be used more commonly than “steal,” while in other parts of the world, such as Australia, “steal” might be used more frequently. In some cases, the two words might be used interchangeably, depending on the context.
3. Colloquialisms And Slang
In some cases, the rules for using “steal” and “thieve” might not apply when it comes to colloquialisms and slang. For example, someone might say “I’m gonna steal a kiss from you” as a playful way of saying they want to kiss someone, even though they are not actually taking anything from that person. Similarly, someone might use the phrase “thieving bastard” to describe someone who is generally untrustworthy, even if that person has not actually stolen anything.
4. Figurative Language
Finally, there are cases where the rules for using “steal” and “thieve” might not apply when it comes to figurative language. For example, someone might say “his heart was stolen by her beauty” to describe a situation where someone fell in love with someone else, even though no actual stealing took place. Similarly, someone might use the phrase “thieves in the night” to describe a situation where something happens unexpectedly or without warning.
Practice Exercises
Improving your understanding and use of steal and thieve can be challenging, but with some practice exercises, you can become more confident in using these words correctly. Here are some practice exercises to help you:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Fill in the blank with the correct word (steal or thieve) to complete the sentence:
- He tried to ___ the candy from the store.
- The thief was caught ___ing a purse from a woman on the street.
- She was accused of ___ing money from her employer.
- He didn’t mean to ___ the book, he just forgot to return it.
- The burglars ___ed all the electronics from the house.
Answer Key:
- steal
- thieving
- stealing
- steal
- stole
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct word (steal or thieve) to complete the sentence:
- The police caught the ___ in the act.
- a) steal
- b) thieve
- a) steal
- b) thieve
- a) steal
- b) thieve
Answer Key:
- b
- a
- a
Exercise 3: Sentence Correction
Correct the sentence by replacing the incorrect word with the correct word:
- The thief was caught stealing a car from the dealership.
- She was accused of thieving jewelry from her friend’s house.
- He didn’t mean to thieve the bike, he just forgot to return it.
Answer Key:
- Correct
- stealing (replace thieving)
- steal (replace thieve)
By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of steal and thieve in sentences. Remember to pay attention to context and use the correct word to avoid confusion and miscommunication.
Conclusion
After examining the differences between “steal” and “thieve,” it is clear that these two words cannot be used interchangeably. “Steal” is the more commonly used term and refers to the act of taking something without permission or unlawfully. On the other hand, “thieve” is a less common term that specifically refers to stealing something of value or importance.
It is important to understand the nuances of language and grammar in order to communicate effectively. By using the correct word in the appropriate context, you can convey your message clearly and avoid confusion.
Key Takeaways:
- “Steal” and “thieve” are not interchangeable.
- “Steal” is the more commonly used term and refers to taking something without permission or unlawfully.
- “Thieve” is a less common term that specifically refers to stealing something of value or importance.
- Understanding the nuances of language and grammar is important for effective communication.
As you continue to learn about grammar and language use, remember to pay attention to the subtle differences between words. By expanding your vocabulary and refining your language skills, you can become a more effective communicator and writer.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.