What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
swiped
Example
He swiped a cookie from the jar when no one was looking. [swiped: verb]
Example
The thief swiped the purse from the woman's hand and ran away. [swiped: past tense]
stole
Example
She stole money from her employer and got caught. [stole: past tense]
Example
The thief stole the painting from the museum and sold it on the black market. [stole: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stole is more commonly used than swiped in everyday language. Stole is a more versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while swiped is less common and often used in more informal or playful situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between swiped and stole?
Both swiped and stole are informal words and are not appropriate for formal writing or speech. However, stole is a more serious word and may be considered more formal than swiped in certain contexts.