sustained poking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustained poking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous or prolonged action of poking, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "The sustained poking of the bear by the campers eventually led to a defensive reaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There's not a whole lot for the loser to say about that, but at the Olympics the loser is expected, upon sustained poking and prodding from the network's interviewer, to come up with a bit of profundity, an iota of poetry, something.

The New York Times

The former rugby league star arrived at Bath with a broken cheekbone sustained in a heroic NRL Grand Final performance and there was a worrying moment when he got back to his feet prodding at his face, but after sustained poking about he concluded all was well.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Get poking.

Independent

The other odor was not rewarded, and a white noise buzz would occur if the rat sustained a nose poke for 1.5 s in that port.

eLife

One odor of the pair was designated as a "correct" odor, and sustaining a nose poke of 1.5 s in the odor port containing this odor resulted in a water reward.

eLife

This interval was initiated by a nose poke, and continued as the poke was sustained for 1.5 s, when the rat committed to a decision.

eLife

A trial started when the center hole light was illuminated, signaling the rat to make a nose-poke response and sustain it for 500 ms. Once a nose-poke response had been sustained for 500 ms in the center hole, the light was extinguished.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Then on Nov. 16, Echenique was poked in the left eye during a scrimmage and sustained a detached retina that cost him six games.

The New York Times - Sports

This sounds like Autechre if they'd just sustained some extremely major head injuries, and were desperately trying to communicate by poking at the keyboard of a ZX Spectrum that had just had a cup of coffee spilt over it.

Vice

The Nets rookie BRIAN SCALABRINE sustained a scratched right cornea in the game's final minute when he was poked by MACEO BASTON of the Knicks.

The New York Times - Sports

Examples of when it was not considered concussion-related included when the player sustained a facial (non-nose) injury = 64 or a nose injury = 42, exhibited a disappointed or dismayed reaction to play = 27; wiped or shook off sweat from his head = 15, or appeared to have been poked in the eye = 1.

Sports Medicine - Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sustained poking", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended level of intensity or persistence. It can range from playful teasing to aggressive prodding.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "sustained poking" can sound informal or even aggressive in professional or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "continuous investigation" or "persistent inquiry" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustained poking" functions primarily as a noun phrase describing an action. It emphasizes the continuous or prolonged nature of the poking. Ludwig AI supports that it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sustained poking" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes a continuous or prolonged action of prodding. While Ludwig AI validates its usability, its frequency is rare and its register leans towards neutral, though sometimes informal. The phrase is used in various contexts, most commonly in News & Media, and can be replaced with alternatives like "continuous prodding" or "persistent nudging" depending on the desired nuance. When using "sustained poking", consider the context and audience to ensure it aligns with the intended tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continuous prodding

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the prodding action.

persistent nudging

Suggests a gentler, but still unwavering, form of encouragement or prompting.

repeated probing

Highlights the investigative aspect of the action, implying a search for information.

unrelenting badgering

Conveys a sense of harassment or pressure through persistent questioning or demands.

incessant prompting

Focuses on the act of repeatedly encouraging or reminding someone to do something.

consistent goading

Implies a deliberate attempt to provoke a reaction through continuous prodding.

chronic teasing

Highlights a playful, yet persistent, form of light-hearted harassment.

constant needling

Emphasizes the annoying or irritating nature of the repeated prodding.

sustained urging

Focuses on the act of repeatedly encouraging action.

continued pestering

Implies the annoying or burdensome quality of repeated requests or demands.

FAQs

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

You can use "sustained poking" to describe a prolonged action of prodding or investigating, as in, "The experiment involved "sustained poking" of the subject's reflexes."

What are some alternatives to "sustained poking"?

Consider alternatives such as "continuous prodding", "persistent nudging", or "repeated probing" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "sustained poking" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically sound, "sustained poking" may be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "continuous investigation" or "persistent inquiry".

What does "sustained poking" imply?

"Sustained poking" implies a continuous or prolonged action of poking, which can range from playful teasing to aggressive prodding depending on the context.