What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
plagiarized
Example
The student was caught plagiarizing their essay and received a failing grade. [plagiarizing: verb]
Example
The article was flagged for plagiarism because it contained large sections of copied text. [plagiarism: noun]
steal
Example
Someone stole my wallet while I was at the park. [stole: past tense]
Example
The company was sued for stealing a competitor's patented technology. [stealing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Steal is more commonly used than plagiarize in everyday language. Steal covers a wide range of contexts and can refer to various types of theft, while plagiarize is more specific to academic or professional writing.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between plagiarized and steal?
Plagiarize is typically associated with a formal and academic tone, while steal can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in various formality levels.