repeatedly poking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "repeatedly poking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of poking something multiple times, often implying persistence or annoyance. Example: "The child was repeatedly poking the screen, trying to get the attention of the game character."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Even General Manager Sandy Alderson was unable to refrain from repeatedly poking fun at them.

The New York Times - Sports

The DoJ wants Apple to allow it to enter password guesses electronically (rather than by repeatedly poking the screen), and to turn off the time-delay and self-destruct features.

The Guardian - Tech

Hustling up a rocky embankment here at the testing grounds of the Quadski's maker, I cranked the handlebars left, downshifted to first gear and cautiously fed some gas with my right thumb while repeatedly poking the upshift button with my left.

The New York Times

A high-school fencer, Zuckerberg conducted one business meeting while repeatedly poking a foil at a colleague.

Forbes

(Jacobi/Hamann, 1955 1979) Hamann sided with Jacobi, though his irrepressibly eccentric self could not refrain from repeatedly poking fun at his friend.

SEP

A team of researchers trained snails not to do this by repeatedly poking at their breathing tubes when the snails tried to extend them.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Cruz repeatedly poked at this weak spot.

The New Yorker

The historical alterations are tacky, given that the film repeatedly pokes fun at Hollywood.

The New Yorker

Conversely, Mr. McCall repeatedly poked fun at Mr. Cuomo for turning to Mr. Jackson for support.

The New York Times

He repeatedly poked fun at Mr. Wess, and told the audience: "Whatever you do, don't get old.

The New York Times - Arts

Rene claimed that he had been repeatedly poked in the behind and forced to look at pictures of men having sex.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "repeatedly poking" when you want to emphasize the repetitive nature of the action, often suggesting persistence, annoyance, or a deliberate attempt to get attention or test something.

Common error

While "repeatedly poking" is grammatically sound, it can sound informal or even childish in some contexts. In formal writing, consider stronger or more precise verbs to convey the intended meaning. For example, instead of "repeatedly poking at a flaw in the argument", you might say "consistently challenging a flaw in the argument".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "repeatedly poking" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause to describe an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It specifies an action of poking performed multiple times.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "repeatedly poking" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe a repetitive action, implying persistence or testing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. While typically neutral in register, it can lean towards informal depending on the situation. Alternatives like "constantly prodding" or "continuously jabbing" may be more suitable for formal writing. As evidenced by the examples from Ludwig, "repeatedly poking" appears most frequently in News & Media and Science sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constantly prodding

Emphasizes continuous and persistent prodding.

continuously jabbing

Focuses on the rapid, repeated nature of the poking motion.

persistently nudging

Highlights the act of gently pushing or prompting someone or something multiple times.

incessantly prodding

Implies a never-ending, almost annoying, poking action.

repeatedly jabbing at

Adds the 'at' preposition to clarify the target of the poking action

poking numerous times

Replaces "repeatedly" with a more descriptive alternative focusing on quantity.

continually tapping

Suggests a lighter, less forceful version of poking.

frequently prodding

Focuses on the high frequency of the prodding action.

regularly poking

Implies that the poking action happens at consistent intervals.

habitually poking

Suggests that the poking is a recurring habit or tendency.

FAQs

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

You can use "repeatedly poking" to describe a repetitive action, such as "The child was repeatedly poking the tablet screen" or "The scientist was repeatedly poking the sample with a needle".

What are some alternatives to "repeatedly poking"?

Some alternatives to "repeatedly poking" include "constantly prodding", "continuously jabbing", or "persistently nudging", depending on the context.

Is "repeatedly poking" formal or informal?

"Repeatedly poking" is generally considered informal. For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "consistently challenging" or "persistently questioning".

When is it appropriate to use "repeatedly poking"?

It's appropriate to use "repeatedly poking" when describing a physical action that involves repetitive poking. However, be mindful of the context and consider whether a more precise or formal alternative would be more suitable.