keep pestering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep pestering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of repeatedly bothering or annoying someone with requests or questions. Example: "Despite my repeated requests to stop, he continued to keep pestering me about the same issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

'Well, the people who produce the prints keep pestering me, but because they want them, that's why I won't do them.

The Guardian - Arts

Rather than keep pestering the White House, Chrysler's chief executive, Thomas W. LaSorda, says Mr. Bush should just reach out when he's ready.

The New York Times

"Some western media outlets keep pestering May to criticise Beijing in an attempt to showcase that the UK has withstood pressure from China and the west has consolidated its commanding position over the country in politics," the Communist party-run tabloid claimed in its English-language edition.

The Guardian

("We'll go into a store called Just Shirts and keep pestering the clerk for things other than shirts. Get it?") And certainly theatrical risk-taking has an even longer entertainment history, going back to sword swallowers and fire eaters and the geeks who bite the heads off chickens.

The New York Times - Arts

This puts me in a difficult position: Do I keep pestering the PO and his staff day after day, until I finally make contact, with the risk that he'll get angry and thus not be very helpful?

Science Magazine

Go ahead, you folks keep pestering your calling lists and tell me how effective your day is; how much your prospects enjoy your call; how often you can claim success.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"Flowertruck?" friends kept pestering.

The Guardian - Music

But Arroyo kept pestering him.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile, Ms. Takagi kept pestering GTC.

The New York Times

"I'm sorry he keeps pestering Juju".

The New Yorker

She keeps pestering me for children.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep pestering", consider the context and choose synonyms if you want to convey different degrees of annoyance or persistence. For instance, "repeatedly ask" is more neutral than "constantly nag".

Common error

Avoid using "keep pestering" in formal or professional contexts, as it can sound informal and unprofessional. Opt for more neutral or formal alternatives like "repeatedly request" or "persistently inquire" to maintain a suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep pestering" functions as a verb phrase, where "keep" acts as an auxiliary verb indicating the continuation of the action, and "pestering" is the main verb in its gerund form. This construction describes a repeated or ongoing action of annoying someone with requests or questions. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

37%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep pestering" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of repeatedly bothering someone. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While widely used in news and media, as well as wiki content, it tends to be less frequent in formal or academic writing. For such contexts, alternatives like "persistently inquire" or "repeatedly request" might be more appropriate. Remember to consider the context and desired tone when choosing between "keep pestering" and its synonyms to accurately convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persistently bother

This alternative changes the verb to 'bother', indicating a more general form of annoyance through persistence.

continually badger

Replacing 'pester' with 'badger' suggests a more aggressive and irritating form of persistent questioning or requests.

repeatedly harass

This shifts the tone to a more serious level, implying unwanted and potentially harmful persistence.

constantly nag

Using 'nag' implies a repetitive and irritating form of urging or complaining, often in a domestic context.

incessantly hound

'Hound' intensifies the persistence, suggesting relentless pursuit and pressure.

keep on at

This is an informal alternative, suggesting continuous pressure or urging.

persist in annoying

This is a more descriptive alternative, explicitly stating the continuation of annoying behavior.

remain a nuisance

This shifts the focus from the act of pestering to the state of being annoying or troublesome.

refuse to leave alone

This focuses on the unwillingness to stop bothering someone.

won't let up

This idiom suggests a refusal to stop pressing someone about something.

FAQs

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

"Keep pestering" is used to describe the action of repeatedly bothering someone with requests or questions. For example, "If you "keep pestering" me, I won't help you."

What can I say instead of "keep pestering"?

Alternatives to "keep pestering" include "persistently bother", "continually badger", or "repeatedly harass", depending on the level of intensity you want to convey.

What is the difference between "keep pestering" and "keep asking"?

"Keep asking" is a neutral term for repeatedly asking a question. "Keep pestering", however, implies that the repeated questioning is annoying or bothersome to the person being asked.

Is "keep pestering" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "keep pestering" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use phrases like "persistently inquire" or "repeatedly request".