A crime is an illegal act, and a thief is a person who steals things.
The crime and the thief
Not ""He made a crime last night."" — say ""He committed a crime last night."". You commit a crime, not "make" or "do" one.
Try it: Mateo: Somebody took three bikes from outside Farrisen Gym last night. Lani: Oh no. I hope the police catch the ___. Choose the word for the blank. (thief / judge / verdict) Answer: thief — A person who steals things is a thief.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
crime
/kraɪm/
Police said the crime happened late at night on Park Road.
thief
/θiːf/
A thief stole a wallet from a bag on the Blue Line.
Police at work
The policeinvestigate a crime to find out what happened, then arrest the person they think did it.
Not ""The police is investigating the case."" — say ""The police are investigating the case."". Police takes a plural verb: the police are, not "is".
Try it: Wei: Why are there police officers at The Neshom Note? Matilda: Someone damaged the stage last night, and now they're ___ it. Choose the word for the blank. (investigating / arresting / committing) Answer: investigating — Police investigate a crime; they arrest a person.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
police
/pəˈliːs/
The police are investigating the theft at Senville Park.
investigate
/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪt/
Officers investigated a break-in on Market Street.
arrest
/əˈrest/
Police arrested a suspect near Mosh Market by midnight.
Inside the courtroom
In court, the judge runs the case, the defendant is the person accused, and the verdict is the final decision.
Try it: Ira: Is the trial over yet? Farid: Yes. The ___ came this morning, and he walked out free. Choose the word for the blank. (verdict / sentence / crime) Answer: verdict — The court's final decision, guilty or not guilty, is the verdict.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
court
/kɔːrt/
The case went to court in Haffenville and the witness spoke clearly.
judge
/dʒʌdʒ/
The judge listened to both sides carefully before deciding.
defendant
/dɪˈfendənt/
The defendant answered the judge's questions calmly in court.
verdict
/ˈvɜːrdɪkt/
The jury needed three hours to agree on a verdict.
After the verdict
A guilty person did the crime, the judge's punishment is the sentence, and fair treatment for everyone is justice.
Try it: Hiroshi: The thief has to do 200 hours of community work. Camila: I think that's a fair ___. Choose the word for the blank. (sentence / verdict / justice) Answer: sentence — The punishment a judge gives is a sentence.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
guilty
/ˈɡɪlti/
The court found the driver guilty.
sentence
/ˈsentəns/
He received a six-month sentence.
justice
/ˈdʒʌstɪs/
The workers marched to ask for justice.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
"He made a crime last night."
"He committed a crime last night."
You commit a crime, not "make" or "do" one.
"The police is investigating the case."
"The police are investigating the case."
Police takes a plural verb: the police are, not "is".