got stolen

USAGE SUMMARY

'got stolen' is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe something that was taken without permission. For example, "My bike got stolen when I left it unlocked outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The Cup just got stolen".

The New Yorker

Someone's teapot got stolen.

The New Yorker

"That's the one that got stolen," Mr. Fibel crowed.

The New York Times

My orange gangsta just got stolen 28th & mad".

The New York Times

"Only because my trainers got stolen," he pointed out.

The Guardian - Travel

It just got stolen recently, and I need to replace it".

The New York Times

My boots got stolen from the car so I borrowed a friend's mother's boots, and won.

The New York Times

"They got stolen off me on the bus here," Larry said.

The New York Times

They built me a custom trailer, a little Bambi that unfortunately got stolen.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The bricks get stolen.

The New York Times

They get stolen more often.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "got stolen", ensure the context clearly indicates the item was taken without permission. This construction is common in informal settings but should be avoided in highly formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "got stolen" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more professional alternatives like "was stolen" or "has been stolen" to maintain a serious and credible tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got stolen" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something was the recipient of the action of stealing. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is grammatically correct and commonly used. It's a colloquial way of expressing that something was taken without permission.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got stolen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, especially in informal contexts to express that something has been taken without permission. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its informal nature means it is best suited for casual conversations or less formal writing. When writing academic or professional documents, opt for more formal alternatives like "was stolen". The phrase is very common in news and media, with a smaller presence in academic and business contexts. Always consider your audience and the level of formality required when deciding whether to use "got stolen".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was stolen

Uses a more direct passive voice construction.

has been stolen

Emphasizes that the action of stealing has been completed and has present relevance.

went missing

A euphemistic way of saying something was stolen, often used to soften the impact.

was pilfered

Implies petty theft or stealing of items of low value.

was taken

A general term indicating removal, which could imply theft depending on context.

disappeared

Suggests the item vanished, without explicitly stating it was stolen.

was robbed

Indicates a more forceful or violent act of stealing.

was burglarized

Refers to stealing that occurred during a break-in.

was embezzled

Specifically refers to the theft of funds by someone in a position of trust.

was misappropriated

Implies that something was taken or used improperly or illegally.

FAQs

What is a more formal way to say "got stolen"?

In formal contexts, use more direct passive constructions like "was stolen" or "has been stolen".

Is "got stolen" grammatically correct?

Yes, "got stolen" is grammatically correct, though it leans towards informal usage. It is commonly used in spoken English and less formal writing.

What's the difference between "got stolen" and "was stolen"?

"Got stolen" is more conversational. "Was stolen" is more formal and suitable for professional or academic writing.

Can I use "got stolen" in an academic paper?

It's generally best to avoid "got stolen" in academic writing. Instead, use more formal alternatives like "was stolen" or "had been stolen" to maintain a professional tone.