To Rob vs To Steal Revisted

Over a year ago I talked about steal/rob/mug and I think it is time to revisit the difference between steal and rob.

To steal is used with THINGS.

A: Get out! (throws guy onto the street)
B: Help! He stole my car! I've been carjacked!

Someone stole my new cellphone!

Did you ever steal anything?

Have you ever had something stolen?

To rob is used with PEOPLE or PLACES.

My house was robbed!

Jim: I need money fast so I'm gonna rob a bank.
Don: Are you crazy?

Did you ever rob someone?

Have you ever been robbed?

The meaning is pretty much the same but the usage is quite different so be careful! You GET robbed and you HAVE things stolen from you.

Harry: Someone broke into my house, I've been robbed!
Policeman: Did they take anything?
Harry: Yeah they stole my flatscreen TV, laptop and iPad.

Any questions?

Phil

Steal, rob, mug...?

For today's lesson we will talk about the difference between steal/rob/mug.

STEAL

This is used for THINGS and is done in secret. It happens when no one is looking. So you go out and you come back and something is gone~!

Someone stole my sandwich from the fridge...

A: Hey, where's my TV???

B: WHAT!?!?! It was STOLEN~!

ROB

This is used for PEOPLE and PLACES. It is noticeable.

A: Where's he stereo? The DVD player???

B: Oh no~! We've been ROBBED~!!

The bank was robbed yesterday and 2 million dollars was stolen.

MUG

This is used when someone forces you to give them your valuables on the street. Usually, with a gun or knife...

(man pulls out a knife)

C: Give me your wallet and watch~!

D: What the hell?!?!

C: Quick~! Or I'll stab you!

D: Here you go.

(the mugger runs away)

D: Help! I've been mugged~!!!


Does anyone have any questions? Have a good weekend,

Phil