Steal is most commonly followed by from to identify the victim or source. Other prepositions usually add separate information such as method, place, or purpose.
Use steal from when saying who or what something was taken from. By can show method, while in and at usually describe place. For may describe a reason or exchange.
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
From identifies the owner, source, or place affected.
Steal often takes a direct object without a preposition.
By usually introduces a method in longer structures.
In and at usually function as place adjuncts, not fixed patterns after steal.
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Use from to show who lost something.
✕ They stole the tourist. ✓ They stole from the tourist.For usually expresses purpose, not the source.
✕ She stole money for her neighbour. ✓ She stole money from her neighbour.Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
From is the standard choice when naming the victim or source.
Yes. Steal often takes a direct object, such as steal a car.
It can be used to express purpose or reason, but it is not the main fixed pattern after steal.
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