keep pinching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep pinching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is advised to continue a specific action, often related to physically pinching something or metaphorically pinching in a situation. Example: "If the fabric is too loose, just keep pinching it until it fits snugly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Keep pinching.

The New Yorker

I keep pinching myself.

Independent

"I had to keep pinching myself saying 'Is this real?'" he said.

Independent

Keep pinching and twisting to form links 4 or 5 inches long.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I have to keep pinching myself to believe that its true...

The New York Times - Magazine

"I just have to keep pinching myself," Ms. Norton said in an interview.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The local children had never seen a white skin and kept pinching us to ensure we were real.

The Telegraph

"We kept pinching ourselves shooting this, all the puppeteers, because we got to sing," he said, and not just in character voices.

The New York Times - Arts

She kept pinching pieces of turkey from the doctor's sandwich before perching on his shoulder and relying on her three-foot tail for balance.

The New York Times

And as a last note on the slide mechanism, this little bastard keeps pinching me!

TechCrunch

He kept pinching its rim with his fingernails, and the cup now looked like something he had picked up from a trash can on the sidewalk.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, "keep pinching" can create a sense of ongoing disbelief. Use it sparingly to maximize its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "keep pinching" in contexts where continuous, forceful squeezing is inappropriate. Choose more gentle alternatives to avoid unintended implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep pinching" functions primarily as an imperative or directive phrase. It instructs or advises someone to continue the action of pinching. This is evident in examples from Ludwig where it is used in both literal (manipulating physical objects) and figurative (expressing disbelief) contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep pinching" is a grammatically sound phrase primarily used to instruct continuation of a pinching action or to express disbelief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears mostly in News & Media and Wiki sources with a generally informal tone. When writing, be mindful of the context to ensure the meaning is clear and the level of formality is appropriate. Consider using alternatives like "continue to pinch" or "maintain pressure" based on your desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to pinch

Replaces "keep" with "continue to" offering a more formal tone.

don't stop pinching

An imperative form, directly instructing not to cease the action.

hold the pinch

Similar to "maintain pressure", but directly refers to the physical hold.

keep squeezing

Replace "pinching" with a more generic equivalent "squeezing".

maintain pressure

Shifts focus to the result of pinching, which is maintaining pressure.

never release the pinch

Focuses on avoiding the release of the pressure from the pinch.

sustain the pinch

Emphasizes the act of sustaining, rather than initiating or continuing the pinching action.

preserve the grip

Highlights the importance of maintaining a firm hold by pinching.

persist in pinching

Uses "persist" to highlight the ongoing nature of the action, implying determination.

continue compressing

Emphasizes the action of compressing, a result of pinching.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep pinching" to instruct someone to continue a physical action, as in "If the dough is too thick, "keep pinching" the edges to thin it out." It can also be used metaphorically to express disbelief, as in "I have to "keep pinching" myself to believe this is real."

What does "keep pinching" mean?

"Keep pinching" literally means to continue the action of pinching something. Figuratively, it can mean that someone is in disbelief and needs to confirm if something is real, by pinching themselves.

What can I say instead of "keep pinching"?

Alternatives to "keep pinching" include "continue to pinch", "maintain pressure", or "hold the pinch" depending on the specific context.

Is "keep pinching" grammatically correct?

Yes, "keep pinching" is grammatically correct. "Keep" is a verb, and "pinching" is a gerund acting as the object of the verb. This phrase is commonly used in instructional and informal contexts.