What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
burgled
Example
The house was burgled while the family was on vacation. [burgled: past tense]
Example
The police are investigating a series of burglaries in the neighborhood. [burglaries: plural noun]
stolen
Example
Her purse was stolen while she was shopping. [stolen: past participle]
Example
The stolen car was found abandoned in a nearby parking lot. [stolen: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stolen is more commonly used than burgled in everyday language. Stolen is a widely recognized term for theft, while burgled is less common and often used in informal or spoken contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between burgled and stolen?
While burgled is typically associated with a more informal tone, stolen can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it more versatile in terms of formality.