regularly poking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regularly poking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of frequently or habitually prodding or jabbing at something, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "She was regularly poking fun at his outdated fashion sense during their conversations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The youngsters would get changed in the away dressing rooms at Ashton Gate and Moyes was a familiar figure, regularly poking his head around the door and dragging them out to deliver crosses for him to head.

BBC

Like this one in which a boy in kindergarten was regularly poking a classmate and caressing her arm.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Alupen Stylus, £21.30 Interacting with your touchscreen can be a faff, especially if your fingers regularly poke the wrong letter on the onscreen virtual keyboard.

Independent

When television was in its toddler years, America became acquainted with a middle-aged Bronx woman who regularly poked her plump frame out her window to shout, "Yoo hoo, Mrs. Bloom," to her neighbor across an airshaft.

The New York Times

Some Republican legislators regularly poke fun at specific NSF grants they consider wasteful, frivolous, or politically motivated.

Science Magazine

He continues to post regularly, usually poking fun at himself.

The New York Times

After 10 minutes, turn over gently, so as not to break up the rhubarb, then check after 25 minutes, and regularly thereafter, poking it with the tip of a sharp knife – you want to catch it at the point when it's perfectly tender but still holding its shape.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even with the nature of their regularly scheduled tweets poking fun at the game of football, they could lose some previous Totino's fans who are also huge football fans.

Huffington Post

Of all the myriad social interactions we undertake regularly, letting someone poke around in your mouth is one of the more unnatural.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fine gravel, sand, and dirt should be poked regularly with a skewer to prevent stagnant areas, especially in the first few months.

WikiHow

I regularly pulled all-nighters poring over finance and accounting textbooks, poking into the darkest corners of Excel, and solemnly applying Little's Law to eliminate hypothetical bottlenecks in imaginary factories.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "regularly poking", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the action is literal (physical) or figurative (teasing, investigating).

Common error

Avoid using "regularly poking" in highly formal or academic writing, as it can sound too informal. Opt for more precise and professional language like "frequently examining" or "consistently investigating", depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regularly poking" functions as a verb phrase where "regularly" modifies the verb "poking", indicating the frequency of the action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "regularly poking" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a recurring action of touching or prodding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts but leans toward neutral formality. While not overly frequent, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, primarily within news and media. When writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey and whether a more formal alternative like "frequently examining" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

customarily prodding

Replaces "regularly" with "customarily", focusing on the habitual nature of the action.

consistently prodding

Similar to 'frequently prodding', emphasizes that it happens all the time.

frequently prodding

Replaces "poking" with "prodding", suggesting a more insistent or deliberate action.

habitually nudging

Substitutes "poking" with "nudging", implying a gentler, more subtle form of contact.

uniformly jabbing

Focuses on the consistency with which something is being jabbed.

repeatedly jabbing

Uses "jabbing" instead of "poking", indicating a sharper, more forceful action.

constantly tapping

Replaces "poking" with "tapping", suggesting a lighter, rhythmic contact.

routinely touching

Uses "touching" to replace "poking", indicating a general sense of physical contact.

persistently teasing

Shifts the meaning slightly to imply playful harassment through poking.

incessantly bothering

Emphasizes the annoying aspect of repeated poking.

FAQs

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

You can use "regularly poking" to describe a repeated action, either literal or figurative. For example, "He was regularly poking the fire to keep it going" or "The comedian was regularly poking fun at politicians during his set".

What are some alternatives to "regularly poking"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "regularly poking" include "frequently prodding", "habitually nudging", or "repeatedly jabbing".

Is "regularly poking" considered formal or informal language?

"Regularly poking" is generally considered informal or neutral. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "frequently examining" or "routinely inspecting".

What is the difference between "regularly poking" and "occasionally poking"?

"Regularly poking" implies a frequent and consistent action, while "occasionally poking" suggests that the action happens sometimes, but not on a consistent basis.