he was stealing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was stealing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was occurring in the past, specifically the act of taking something unlawfully. Example: "When the police arrived, they found him in the act; he was stealing from the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yes, he was stealing them.

The Guardian

"It's not like he was stealing chickens.

The New York Times

"He was stealing everyone's money in the Hamptons.

The New York Times

Actually, he was stealing my backpack and two jerrycans.

The New York Times

"Does that mean he was stealing their ideas?

The Guardian - Tech

"How'd you get electricity out here?" I knew he was stealing it.

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times - Magazine

I was so angry that he was stealing from the library.

The New Yorker

But allegations that he was stealing from the nonprofit organization followed him for years.

The New York Times

He was told the principal felt he was stealing her ideas.

The Washington Post

The townsfolk thought he was stealing him, and beat the man up".

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was stealing", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being stolen and from whom. For example: "He was stealing company secrets".

Common error

Ensure that the object of theft is clear to avoid misinterpretation. Instead of "He was stealing", specify "He was stealing the car" or "He was stealing glances".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was stealing" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It describes an ongoing act of theft performed by a male subject. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was stealing" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe a past continuous action of theft. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to report or narrate such an event, with usage predominantly in news and media contexts. While maintaining a neutral register, clarity is crucial when employing this phrase to specify the object of theft. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "he was shoplifting" or "he was pilfering" to provide greater context to the type of theft.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was taking without permission

Focuses on the lack of consent in the act of taking.

he was unlawfully taking

Highlights the illegal nature of the act.

he was shoplifting

Specifically indicates theft from a store.

he was pilfering

Suggests stealing small items or amounts.

he was lifting

A more casual term for stealing, particularly small items.

he was embezzling funds

Implies stealing money from a company or organization.

he was purloining

A more formal or archaic term for stealing.

he was appropriating

Indicates taking something for one's own use, possibly without permission.

he was robbing

Involves stealing by force or threat of force.

he was expropriating

Suggests taking property, often by a government or authority.

FAQs

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

Use "he was stealing" to describe someone in the process of unlawfully taking something. For example, "He was stealing candy from the store".

What can I say instead of "he was stealing"?

You can use alternatives like "he was shoplifting", "he was pilfering", or "he was embezzling" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he was stealing" or "he is stealing"?

"He was stealing" describes an action in the past, while "he is stealing" describes an action in the present. Choose the tense that matches the timeframe of your sentence.

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

"He was stealing" implies a continuous action in the past, while "he stole" describes a completed action. The first emphasizes the process, the second the outcome.