Second learners of
English always use the verb, "steal", to explain any act of stealing
regardless of how the action is performed. Although
"steal" projects the main idea, it is important you tell how the
"stealing" is done by using the right word. This will prevent further
questioning from your listener(s) and also project you as one who is
well-grounded in the language. Therefore, knowing how to use these
semantically-related but contextually-distinct verbs is a great step towards
learning the English Language.
To steal means
to secretly and peacefully take something from someone without their permission and without intending to return it. This means stealing is done
secretly and does not involve violence.
Examples
1. That boy had been
stealing from my shop.
2. Thieves stole her laptop.
To rob is
to take money or property unlawfully from a person or public place in the open
by force or threat of force. Robbery is not secret but is done openly and with
violence. It's a planned and intended action mostly carried out by ruthless
group of people.
Examples
1. I was robbed of my phones
while returning from school.
2. They robbed three banks
before they were caught.
To burgle is
to enter or break into a person's house illegally with the intent to commit a
crime, especially theft. This is accomplished when the occupants of the house
are not at home or are away from the house.
Examples
1. We returned from church
to find out that our house had been burgled.
2. We were burgled while at
Church.
Example 2 simply means
that our house was burgled while we were at the church. People cannot be
burgled, but their house(s) can be burgled. North Americans use "burglarize" instead
of burgle. e.g., We were burglarized while at Church.
To mug is
to attack someone violently for the purpose of robbery. Mugging involves
threats by the mugger and may either be carried out by one person or more.
Example
He got mugged by three
men.
When using either of
these verbs, one must consider the situation (that is, the context), the way
the "stealing" is done, or the way the item is stolen. If either of
these things is not taken into consideration, the speaker is bound to use these
verbs inappropriately. For example, a wallet can be stolen but can't be robbed,
burgled or mugged. A person can be robbed/mugged but can't be burgled. I have been burgled means my house was burgled. A bank can be robbed
but can't be mugged. It may also interest you to know that one who steals is called
a thief; one who robs is called a robber; one who burgles is called a burglar;
one who mugs is called is a mugger.
In sum, your
language speaks volumes of you. Therefore, you should use it wisely and
appropriately!
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