Are you not a thief? vs Do you not steal?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. 'Are you not a thief?' is a more formal and direct way of asking if someone is a thief. 'Do you not steal?' is also correct but sounds a bit more literary or old-fashioned. Both can be used depending on the context and the tone you want to convey.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 841 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"Are you not a thief?"

This phrase is a formal and direct way of asking if someone is a thief. It is commonly used in conversations or situations where a more serious tone is required.

Show examples from the web [+]

Feb 6, 2014 ... But I mean, if you're profiting off someone else's theft, are you not a thief as well? 4Reply. Flagged. Show more repliesShow more replies in this ...
1 · March 4 at 10:27am. Remove. Remove. John Iboyi if apc leaders are thieves, pdp leaders are armed robbers, you, are you not a thief? March 12 at 11:02am.
... “thieves of the sea are termed 'enemies of humanity.'” “Except by those who hire them,” Gaunt countered. “And are you not a thief?” “Of the land! Very different .
He stepped away from the wall. She heard him, and turned. "Who are you? Not a thief, despite your furtive arrival, if you make yourself known." "Nay, not a thief.".

Alternatives:

Are you a thief?
Aren't you a thief?
You're not a thief, are you?
You wouldn't steal, would you?
You're not stealing, are you?

This phrase is correct but sounds a bit more literary or old-fashioned.

"Do you not steal?"

This phrase is also a way of asking if someone steals, but it may sound more formal or old-fashioned compared to 'Are you not a thief?' It can be used in literary contexts or when a more sophisticated tone is desired.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dec 17, 2014 ... How Do You Not Steal From A Test Drive? If a car dealer were to give you a test drive on a car, how would they know that would not or could ...
Why do you not steal? I do not steal because I have no right to take what is not given. What is the good of giving up stealing? I become honest and will not be ...
Do you NOT steal because your conscious won't allow it or because you don't want to go to jail? When you go to court and asked to say the truth and NOTHING ...
Mar 8, 2014 ... How do you not steal them? I found one and I wanted to sell it but I had to steal it. How come in this video you can just open the stuff and take ...

Alternatives:

Do you steal?
Don't you steal?
Are you a thief?
You're not a thief, are you?
You wouldn't steal, would you?

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

Are you not a thief? vs Do you not steal?