he is stealing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is stealing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone currently engaged in the act of theft or taking something that does not belong to them. Example: "As I walked by the store, I noticed that he is stealing a candy bar from the shelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Upon seeing this photo Glenn Beck went into a frenzy screaming, "If it wasn't bad enough that he is the antichrist and a fascist-socialist, now he is stealing our white women!

Huffington Post

The former president gets questions from reporters about whether he is stealing attention from his wife.

The New York Times

Before long he is stealing and setting fires just for "the exquisite thrill of getting away with it".

The New York Times - Books

When you watch President Clinton at the Democratic convention, it may look as if he is stealing President Ronald Reagan's script from 1988.

The New York Times

Now he is stealing customers from his former employer.

Forbes

At a time when Jews worldwide celebrate religious freedom, it is as if he is stealing the cherished ideals behind Hanukkah.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Another video was captioned "I can't believe he is steal [sic] alive".

Vice

Yes, he was stealing them.

The Guardian

But he's stealing our money!

The New Yorker

The guy wasn't stealing cars, but the detective figured he was stealing something.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's not like he was stealing chickens.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is stealing" to clearly and directly indicate the act of taking something that doesn't belong to the subject. Choose synonyms like "pilfering" or "embezzling" for nuance, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "he is stealing" when the action is more accurately described as borrowing without returning, or using without permission. "Stealing" implies intent to permanently deprive the owner of the item.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is stealing" functions as a verb phrase in the present continuous tense. It describes an action that is currently in progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to indicate an ongoing act of theft.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is stealing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe an ongoing act of theft. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread applicability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys a sense of immediacy and direct action. While synonyms like "he is pilfering" or "he is embezzling" can offer nuance, it's crucial to ensure that the term accurately reflects the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the item. The phrase maintains a neutral formality, suitable for diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is taking without permission

Emphasizes the lack of consent in the act of taking.

he's pilfering

Replaces "stealing" with a less formal term, suggesting petty theft.

he is swiping

Uses a casual term for "he is stealing", often used for small items or digital content.

he's embezzling

Specifies the type of stealing as misappropriation of funds.

he is lifting

Uses slang term to mean "he is stealing".

he is shoplifting

Indicates theft from a retail store.

he is purloining

Replaces "stealing" with a more formal term.

he is appropriating

Suggests taking something, often ideas or resources, without permission.

he is robbing

Suggests taking something from a person or place by force or threat of force.

he is fleecing

Suggests deceiving someone to steal money or possessions.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "he is stealing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "he is pilfering", "he is embezzling", or "he is taking without permission".

Is "he is stealing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he is stealing" is grammatically correct. It uses the present continuous tense to describe an action happening now.

How can I use "he is stealing" in a sentence?

You can use "he is stealing" to describe the act of someone taking something that is not theirs at the moment of speaking. For example, "As I walked by the store, I noticed that he is stealing a candy bar from the shelf."

What's the difference between "he is stealing" and "he stole"?

"He is stealing" describes an ongoing action, happening right now. "He stole" describes a completed action in the past.