What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
steal
Example
He stole the money from his employer's safe. [steal: verb]
Example
The thief was caught stealing a watch from the store. [stealing: gerund or present participle]
snatch
Example
She snatched the phone out of his hand and ran away. [snatch: verb]
Example
The child snatched the toy from his friend's hands. [snatching: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Steal is more commonly used than snatch in everyday language. Steal is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while snatch is less common and usually refers to taking something small or portable.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between steal and snatch?
Both steal and snatch are informal words that are not appropriate for formal writing or speech. However, steal is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels, while snatch is more colloquial and should be used with caution in formal contexts.
