The verb to steal · Conjugation
Past Simple of steal
The answer: stole
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to steal is stole.
Example: Someone stole my bike.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | stole |
| You | stole |
| He / She / It | stole |
| We | stole |
| You (pl.) | stole |
| They | stole |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. They robbed money ❌
You steal something (the thing). You rob someone or somewhere (the person or the place). They stole money. They robbed a bank.
2. Stealed ❌
Steal is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple is stole, never stealed.
3. A stole car ❌
As an adjective, use stolen: a stolen car, a stolen phone.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of steal?+
The Past Simple of steal is stole. The past participle is stolen. Steal → stole → stolen.
What is the difference between stole and stolen?+
Stole is the Past Simple: Someone stole my bike. Stolen is the past participle (My bike has been stolen) or an adjective (a stolen bike).
Why is it not stealed?+
Because steal is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple is stole, never stealed.
Is it steal or rob?+
Steal something (from someone) = to take a thing. Rob someone (of something) = to take from a person, often with violence. Steal money. Rob a bank.
How do you say you were robbed?+
Say My phone was stolen (passive) or Someone stole my phone (active). When you are the victim, you can also say I was robbed.
Related pages: steal Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/steal/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
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More forms of the verb to steal are coming soon.