Stole vs. Stolen
“Stole” and “stolen” are different forms of the irregular verb “steal.” “Stole” is the simple past, while “stolen” is the past participle used in perfect constructions.
Use “stole” for the simple past and “stolen” as the past participle, especially after have/has/had.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Grammar need | Use | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| simple past | stole | Use the finite past form. |
| past participle after have/has/had | stolen | Use the participle. |
| passive construction with a form of be | stolen | Use the participle. |
Quick tests
Auxiliary test
Is the form used after have, has, had, or in a passive construction with a form of be?
If yes: Use “stolen.”
If no: For a standalone simple-past verb, use “stole.”
Caveat: The choice is grammatical form, not a difference in the meaning of the underlying verb “steal.”
Examples
Someone stole the package yesterday.
“Stole” is the simple-past form.
Someone has stolen the package.
“Stolen” is the past participle after “has.”
The package was stolen overnight.
The passive construction uses the past participle “stolen.”
Further guidance
Core difference
“Stole” is the simple-past form of “steal”; “stolen” is the past participle used with auxiliaries such as have, has, or had.
Fast Test
If have, has, or had directly governs the form of “steal,” choose “stolen.” For a standalone finite past-tense verb, choose “stole.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- steal — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Cambridge lists stole as the past tense and stolen as the past participle of steal.