keep bothering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep bothering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone persistently annoying or troubling another person. Example: "I wish you would stop keeping bothering me with the same questions over and over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"I'm sorry I keep bothering you with this.

The New Yorker

He wanted to keep bothering them with his existence.

The New Yorker

Why, I wondered, if the guy's so anti-­everything, does he keep bothering to write?

The New York Times - Books

We've just got to keep bothering him as much as we can".

The New York Times - Sports

"They have lots of free stuff, and they keep bothering you until you can't say no," Ms. Butts said, recalling how she came to receive both Capital One and Citibank Visa cards.

The New York Times

Keep bothering it, and an ear-piercing alarm will sound as it sends another alert, prompting an operator to use Knightscope's browser-based software to check out the status of the sensors, see what's happening around the robot, and talk to anyone who may be there harassing it.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The tooth kept bothering her, even after two different antibiotics.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the silence, a forgotten thought kept bothering Nawab, something important.

The New Yorker

"If it keeps bothering me, I might not be able to pitch.

The New York Times - Sports

(He had apologized in front of his staff at the time, but this incident kept bothering him).

The New Yorker

Gould kept bothering her. Brand went to talk to Savage, in an attempt to patch things up between them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep bothering" when you want to emphasize the repetitive and annoying nature of someone's actions. It's suitable for informal contexts and conveys a sense of exasperation.

Common error

While "keep bothering" is acceptable in informal settings, avoid using it in formal writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "persistently request" or "repeatedly inquire".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep bothering" functions as a verb phrase indicating continuous and often unwelcome or irritating action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes the act of persistently annoying someone.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep bothering" is a verb phrase used to describe continuous and annoying actions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and acceptability. While the phrase appears in News & Media, as seen in Ludwig's examples, it's generally more suitable for informal contexts. If you're looking for alternatives, consider options like "persistently annoy" or "repeatedly pester". Remember to avoid using "keep bothering" in formal writing, opting instead for more professional language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep harassing

Focuses on the continuous act of harassment.

persist in annoying

This version stresses the act of continuing despite the annoyance caused.

persistently annoy

This alternative focuses on the continuous nature of the annoyance.

repeatedly pester

This alternative emphasizes the repetitive and irritating aspect of the action.

continue to disturb

This option is more formal and focuses on the disruption caused by the action.

constantly harass

This alternative suggests a more aggressive and unwelcome form of bothering.

unremittingly pester

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of the pestering.

continually nag

This alternative implies a persistent and irritating form of questioning or complaining.

hound incessantly

This alternative conveys a relentless and pursuing form of bothering.

badger relentlessly

This alternative suggests a persistent and irritating form of persuasion or pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "keep bothering" in a sentence?

You can use "keep bothering" to describe someone's persistent and annoying actions. For instance, "I wish you would stop "keep bothering" me with the same questions over and over."

What are some alternatives to "keep bothering"?

Alternatives include "persistently annoy", "repeatedly pester", or "constantly harass" depending on the context and intensity of the annoyance.

Is "keep bothering" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "keep bothering" is generally too informal for professional or academic writing. Consider using phrases like "persistently request" or "repeatedly inquire" instead.

What's the difference between "keep bothering" and "keep harassing"?

"Keep bothering" generally refers to annoying or irritating actions, while "keep harassing" implies a more aggressive and potentially threatening form of persistent unwanted behavior.