kept stealing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept stealing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a repeated action of theft that occurred over a period of time in the past. Example: "Despite numerous warnings, he kept stealing from the store until he was finally caught."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

New Museum free night I kept stealing glances at you among the art.

The New York Times

You kept stealing a peak on me, and kinda measured me (not literally) head to toe.

The New York Times

And throughout the program, McGee Maddox kept stealing the show with performing that was stylish, purposeful and utterly natural.

The New York Times - Arts

We lived across the street from Bob Dylan in Malibu, and we had to get rid of our mailbox because people kept stealing the mail for souvenirs.

The New York Times - Magazine

For the rest of last summer, Truro put signs on the beaches warning about sharks, but college kids kept stealing them for their dorm rooms.

The New Yorker

"Finally, I had to give up and switch to a motorboat because they just kept stealing the canoes," Dr. Scribner said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"They keep stealing them off my desk".

The New York Times

But here they stay in office and just keep stealing".

The New York Times

He takes pills for his hyperactivity, but his older brother, a drug addict, keeps stealing them.

The New Yorker

June 23 , 2014From Labour figures John McTernan (@johnmcternan) Why do Tories keep stealing @Ed_Miliband's policies?

The Guardian

He did not explain who those politicians were, but I suspect the same guys who keep stealing Dale Peterson's signs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "kept stealing" with alternatives such as "continued to steal" or "repeatedly stole" to vary your writing and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "kept stealing" to describe a single act of theft. This phrase implies a repeated behavior. If only one instance occurred, use "stole" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept stealing" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the past continuous tense, indicating a repeated action in the past. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's considered grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept stealing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that signifies repeated acts of theft in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's well-accepted in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to narrate events and express disapproval of recurring behavior. For varied writing, consider alternatives such as "continued to steal" or "repeatedly stole". Remember to use it accurately, indicating a series of thefts rather than a single incident.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued to steal

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the stealing, similar to "kept stealing".

persisted in stealing

Emphasizes the stubborn or determined nature of the repeated stealing.

repeatedly stole

Highlights the repetition of the act of stealing.

habitually stole

Indicates that stealing was a regular habit or pattern of behavior.

incessantly stole

Implies stealing occurred without interruption or stopping.

always stole

Highlights the frequency and consistency of the stealing.

would steal repeatedly

Describes a recurring action of stealing in the past.

had a habit of stealing

Focuses on the habitual nature of the act.

was always stealing

Emphasizes the ongoing and frequent nature of the stealing.

never stopped stealing

Highlights the continuous and unceasing nature of the stealing behavior.

FAQs

How do I use "kept stealing" in a sentence?

Use "kept stealing" to describe a recurring act of theft in the past. For instance, "Despite warnings, he kept stealing office supplies."

What are some alternatives to "kept stealing"?

You can use alternatives such as "continued to steal", "repeatedly stole", or "habitually stole" depending on the context.

Is "kept stealing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "kept stealing" is grammatically correct. It's the past tense form of "keep stealing", indicating a repeated action of theft.

What is the difference between "kept stealing" and "stole repeatedly"?

"Kept stealing" implies an ongoing action or a habit, while "stole repeatedly" simply emphasizes the multiple instances of the theft without necessarily implying a continuous behavior. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.