stop pestering me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stop pestering me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to cease annoying or bothering you, often in a frustrated or exasperated tone. Example: "I've told you multiple times that I'm busy, so please stop pestering me about the same issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I would tease him and say 'when will you stop pestering me?' His talent was getting players, motivating different players in different ways and knowing what the team needed".

BBC

Eventually we moved after Julian wouldn't stop pestering me about being overtly molested.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Or, better yet, wander off and stop pestering you.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now maybe people will stop pestering them with the fact that they are supposed to be nonprofit, academic institutions.

The New York Times

And driving around Pyongyang, I couldn't stop pestering her with questions: "I don't see any trash cans," I said.

The New York Times

Finally he had enough: "Listen, if you Americans don't stop pestering us about the Taliban, we'll give them the nuclear bomb.

The New York Times - Magazine

"And if you sign up for our Gold Star membership level we stop pestering you to sign up for our Gold Star membership level".

The New Yorker

How do you do all that and be husband and father to your own family?" The pager was purring again and it was high time for a visitor to stop pestering the friar.

The New York Times

Their crime is that, unlike seven colleagues arrested at the same time but freed soon afterwards, these recalcitrants refused to pledge that they will stop pestering the country's rulers to reform.There are other countries where simply asking politely for more rights—in this case, by signing several petitions can land you in prison.

The Economist

Funny how it's refreshing to see a TV cop who's good at being a cop without throwing the rule book out or slamming the phone down – even the way she ignores new boss Chief Bill's instructions to stop pestering Lester ("Got to say - I'm super ticked here") feels like good policing rather than an indication of her maverick tendencies.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Bill Windsor asks her to represent him not because he is writing a book -- he can't yet, for assorted reasons, although he is a good enough speller -- but having been assured Evans is the best agent in the business, he figures all the other New York agents will stop pestering him when all calls are directed to her.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience. While generally acceptable, this phrase might be too direct for some professional settings; in those cases, opt for something more polite like "please stop bothering me".

Common error

Avoid using "stop pestering me" in highly formal emails or professional reports. While it's understandable to want to express your frustration, this phrase can come across as unprofessional. Instead, try "I would appreciate it if you could allow me to focus on my work for the moment" or "Please refrain from contacting me about this issue again."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stop pestering me" functions as an imperative, directly commanding someone to cease an action. It is typically used to express frustration or annoyance at unwanted or persistent attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stop pestering me" is a grammatically correct and readily understood imperative phrase used to tell someone to cease bothering or annoying you. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's important to consider the context. It is most appropriate for informal settings or when quoting someone directly. For more formal or professional settings, consider using more polite alternatives like "please stop bothering me". This phrase is relatively common and appears in various sources, including news articles and online guides. Remember to use this phrase judiciously, considering the impact on your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quit bothering me

Direct and slightly more aggressive in tone.

please stop bothering me

Polite but firm request to end the annoyance.

leave me alone

Emphasizes the desire for solitude and lack of interaction.

enough with the nagging

Specifically addresses nagging or repetitive requests.

give me a break

Implies the speaker feels overwhelmed and needs respite.

get off my back

More confrontational, suggesting the speaker feels pressured.

stop harassing me

Suggests a more serious level of annoyance or unwanted attention.

cease this constant bothering

More formal and emphasizes the repetitive nature of the annoyance.

desist from annoying me

Very formal and polite, but still conveys the message clearly.

refrain from irritating me

Focuses on the speaker's irritation and requests the behavior to stop.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "stop pestering me" to be more polite?

You can use phrases like "please stop bothering me", "I'd appreciate some space", or "could you give me a moment" depending on the context.

Is "stop pestering me" appropriate for professional communication?

Generally, "stop pestering me" is too informal for professional settings. It's better to use more polite alternatives like "please do not contact me again" or "I'm unable to assist at the moment".

What's the difference between "stop pestering me" and "stop harassing me"?

"Stop harassing me" implies a more serious and potentially threatening level of unwanted attention. "Stop pestering me" suggests a milder, though still annoying, form of bothering.

How can I use "stop pestering me" effectively in a sentence?

Use "stop pestering me" when you want to firmly but directly tell someone to cease bothering you, especially when their actions are persistent and annoying. For example, "I've told you I'm busy, so please "stop pestering me"!"