Continuous Writing 3(b) - Useful Words and Phrases (Stealing)

Continuous Writing – Topic 3(b)

Useful Words and Phrases - Stealing

Welcome to another post of useful words and phrases! Read on and you will be able to find useful vocabulary on stealing. Remember, do not memorise any word if you do not understand what it means. Find out what it means first and understand how it is used in a phrase or sentence before learning it by heart

Stealing is a common continuous writing topic. It is a topic that gives you the chance to use non-stop action and vivid descriptions. However, it is also a topic that could easily lose its logical flow. Therefore, it is very important to plan when writing this topic. When you plan, imagine the story happening in your mind. This will help to ensure that you are writing logically.

There are many useful and interesting vocabulary related to stealing that you could use in your stories.

Here are some of them. This list is not exhaustive. As you read and learn more every day, you will be able to add more to your vocabulary list. Build up your vocabulary list to become a better writer!


But wait, before we go on, do you know the difference between a a theft, a robbery and a burglary?

A theft is the taking of a person's property without his consent. This could be snatching a person's handbag or taking a wallet that a student has left in the classroom during recess. What is stolen is something that the thief can move about.

A robbery is the taking of a person's property without his consent through the use of force. The victim could be hurt, for example, if he is slashed with a knife. The victim could also just be threatened with violence such as when a bank robber threatens the bank teller with a gun.

A burglary is the entering of a structure to commit a crime. An example would be when a perpetrator enters a jewellery shop to steal the jewellery.


Now that you know what the different terms mean, keep them in mind when you read the list of phrases below. You're another step closer to becoming a great writer!

Description of Perpetrator

a black haversack hung casually on his shoulders

covered from head to toe in black

deadly glint in his eyes

easily noticeable in a crowd as he had a scar that ran across his nose from one cheek to another

impeccably dressed

nondescript man who blended in with the rest of the crowd

shoes with rubber soles

ski mask covering his face and only his eyes were visible

Action of Perpetrator

advanced towards her

beam of light from his torch guided him through the house

brandished a knife

burly but could move with amazing speed

circled the house several times until he was certain that no one was home

crept noiselessly

darted across the street and disappeared among the crowd

deftly slid a thin wire through the keyhole

demanded that she hand over all her money

did not utter a word

disappeared around the corner

eyes adjusted to the darkness

fired a series of shots with his gun

flashed the blade at his victim

glanced about furtively

groped about in the dark

held the victim at knife point

in a menacing tone

kept his eyes on the ground as he walked briskly to the train station

leapt into the getaway car

lifted the sledgehammer over his head and smashed the glass display of watches

lunged at me with a baseball bat

outnumbered and without any weapons or protection, surrendered when the police arrived

overturned tables

paused to listen out for any sounds

ransacked the drawers

saw the outlines of the furniture in the living room

slung the heavy bag of loot over his shoulder

staggered backwards clutching his stomach

swept all the jewellery into his bag

took a tentative step forward

unwittingly left his fingerprints behind

walked stealthily towards the jewellery shop

whipped out a shiny blade

Reaction of Victim

bound and gagged

could only watch in horror as the man grabbed every valuable item in the house

glanced about helplessly

handed over her bracelet without a word of protest

hollered for help

hostages huddled in a corner

immobilised with fear

notified the police immediately

oblivious to what had happened

pretended to be asleep

raised his leg and kicked the burglar as hard as he could in the stomach

shocked to see the main door slightly ajar

stared open-mouthed

struggled to free herself

stunned to see the bedroom in disarray

too stunned to move

waved arms about gesticulating wildly

with trembling fingers, handed the robber her wallet

Reaction of Witnesses

able to describe the facial features of the robber to a sketch artist

confirmed her suspicion that

crowd of onlookers gathered around the distraught victim

foiled the robber's plan

gave a detailed account of what had happened

gave chase/ in hot pursuit

pinned the robber down in a vice-like grip

questioned by police officers

simply stared in horror