keep poking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep poking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is persistently bothering or provoking someone or something, often in a playful or annoying manner. Example: "If you keep poking the bear, you're going to get yourself into trouble."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But if they keep poking me, I'll keep biting back".

The Guardian

You have to keep poking at the earth to learn its secrets.

Columbia University

The Democrats know the Republicans are afraid to confront and disavow Limbaugh, so they keep poking him, and he keeps snapping like a rabid dog.

The New York Times

These are the voices that tell the stories that excite my imagination and keep poking at me tirelessly until I succumb and write them down.

The Guardian

Just to crank up the turmoil, "In the Heart of the Sea" can be seen in 3-D, so that masts and braces keep poking you in the nose.

The New Yorker

In 20,000 Leaks, you're at an undersea observatory where particularly aggressive fish keep poking holes in the glass; your job is to plug the leaks by touching them with any part of your body.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He's just got to get the basketball and put it in peoples' hands". Jackson also said Gasol needed to watch his back, keeping track of blind-side defenders who kept poking the ball free.

Los Angeles Times

"The waterway is a part of the city that's uncontrollable," she says, "a constant reminder that we're still in nature, which keeps poking back at the city, eroding it, changing it, keeping it in check".

Vice

The outside world keeps poking in.

The Guardian - Music

She — or at least the tip of her nose — kept poking into it.

The New York Times

China's doddering veterans of the Long March kept poking their noses into everything.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep poking" when you want to convey the idea of persistent and often irritating prodding, whether physical or metaphorical. It suggests an ongoing action that is likely to elicit a reaction.

Common error

While "keep poking" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it in highly formal or professional writing where a more sophisticated vocabulary is expected. Opt for alternatives like "continue to investigate" or "persist in questioning" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

"Keep poking" functions as a verb phrase indicating continuous or repeated action. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, conveying persistence or repeated attempts, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

12%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep poking" is a versatile expression used to describe continuous and often irritating actions, whether literal or figurative. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news and media, though its use in more formal settings might require careful consideration. Alternatives such as "continue prodding" or "persist in nudging" may be more appropriate in professional or academic writing. To prevent misuse, avoid overusing it in formal contexts where a more sophisticated vocabulary is expected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue prodding

Emphasizes continued physical or metaphorical prodding.

persist in nudging

Highlights gentle yet persistent encouragement or bother.

keep investigating

Focuses on continued inquiry or examination.

continue to probe

Implies a systematic and thorough investigation.

keep bothering

Emphasizes the annoying or disruptive aspect of the action.

persist in teasing

Highlights playful or irritating persistence.

keep agitating

Suggests stirring up trouble or unrest.

remain inquisitive

Focuses on the state of being continuously curious and questioning.

keep searching

Emphasizes the act of continuously looking for something.

continue exploring

Highlights ongoing discovery and investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep poking" to describe a persistent action, such as "If you "keep poking" the bear, you're going to get bitten".

What are some alternatives to "keep poking"?

Alternatives include "continue prodding", "persist in nudging", or "keep investigating", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "keep poking" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "keep poking" may be too informal for certain professional or academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "continue to probe" or "persist in questioning" in those situations.

What does it mean to "keep poking" someone?

To "keep poking" someone generally means to persistently annoy or provoke them, either physically or metaphorically. It implies a continuous action that is likely to elicit a negative response.