The past tense of steal is stole. However, If you’re wondering how to use it in a sentence, this guide will break down everything you need to know about the past tense of this common verb.
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How To Use “Stole” In A Sentence?
A simple way to use “stole” is within a standard subject-verb-object sentence.
For instance:
- The thief stole the jewelry from the safe.
This sentence clearly conveys the action of stealing, identifying the subject (thief), the verb (stole), and the object (jewelry). However, to improve your writing, experiment with different sentence structures.
Consider using “stole” in complex or compound sentences:
- While the guard was distracted, the clever thief stole the priceless painting.
- Not only did she steal my heart, but she also stole my wallet.
These examples showcase the adaptability of “stole” and how it can fit into different sentence constructions.
Then again, the context in which you use “stole” can greatly impact the meaning of your sentence.
For example:
- In a metaphorical sense: “The storm stole the thunder from the wedding.”
- In a legal context: “The evidence clearly shows that the suspect stole the car.”
The Difference Between “Stole” And “Stolen”
Both words are related to the act of taking something that doesn’t belong to you, but they serve different functions in a sentence.
| Feature | Stole | Stolen |
|---|---|---|
| Part of Speech | Verb | Adjective or Past Participle |
| Tense | Past Simple | Past Participle |
| Usage | Describes an action completed in the past | Used in perfect tenses or as an adjective |
| Example Sentence | The thief stole the necklace. | The police recovered the stolen necklace. |
Stole is the simple past tense of the verb “steal.” It signifies an action that happened and was completed at a specific point in the past.
- Example: “She stole the cookies from the jar before dinner.”
Stolen functions as both an adjective and a past participle.
As an adjective, “stolen” describes a noun and indicates that something was taken without permission.
- Example: “The police are looking for the stolen“
In the context of verb tenses, “stolen” is the past participle of “steal” and is used to form perfect tenses. These tenses express a completed action in relation to another point in time.
- Example: “We have stolen the show tonight!” (present perfect tense)
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Examples Of “Stole” In Context
The most common context for “stole” is about crime. For instance, “The thief stole the priceless diamond necklace from the museum.”
This example demonstrates the action of taking something without permission. “Stole” can also be used metaphorically to describe actions or events that take away attention or importance.
For example, “The unexpected snowstorm stole the thunder from the highly anticipated concert.” This sentence creatively uses “stole” to communicate that the snowstorm overshadowed the concert.
In everyday conversation, “stole” may be used in a more casual way. For instance, “I stole a glance at her across the crowded room.”
This example shows how “stole” can be used to describe a quick, secretive action. You can also test different sentence structures by incorporating “stole.”
Here are some examples:
- Simple sentence: The cat stole the fish from the counter.
- Compound sentence: The mischievous child stole the cookies from the jar, and hid them in his room.
- Complex sentence: While the guard was distracted, the clever thief stole the valuable artwork.
Common Mistakes With The Past Tense Of Steal
Many make the mistake of using “stolen” instead of “stole” in the past simple tense.
- Correct: She stole the money.
- Incorrect: She stolen the money.
“Stole” is the correct past tense form of “steal,” while “stolen” is the past participle. While “stole” is the correct past tense, overuse can make your writing repetitive. You can consider using synonyms or rephrasing sentences to add variety.
Example: Instead of “The thief stole the car and stole the jewelry,” consider “The thief stole the car, then made off with the jewelry.”
Also, ensure you are using the correct verb tense. While “stole” is past tense, it should not be used in present or future tense sentences.
- Incorrect: I steal the book tomorrow. (Future tense)
- Correct: I will steal the book tomorrow.
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FAQs About The Past Tense Of Steal
What Is The Past Tense Of Steal?
The past tense of steal is stole.
What Is The Difference Between “Stole” And “Stolen”?
Stole is the past tense of the verb “steal.” It is used to describe an action that happened in the past. Stolen is the past participle of “steal.”
It can be used as an adjective to describe something that has been taken, or as part of a verb tense (e.g., has stolen, had stolen).
How Do I Use “Stole” In A Sentence?
Here’s an example: “The thief stole the diamond necklace from the safe.”
Is There A Common Mistake People Make With The Past Tense Of Steal?
Yes, a common mistake is using “stolen” instead of “stole” in the past simple tense. The correct sentence would be: “The thief stole the car,” not “The thief stolen the car.”
What Is The Past Perfect Tense Of Steal?
The past perfect tense of steal is “had stolen.” For example: “The police discovered that someone had stolen the painting.”