Meaning & use
constantly pester
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Meaning
verbtransitive
to annoy someone by asking or bothering them again and again
Grammar: Takes an object: pester someone. 'Constantly' is an adverb that emphasizes the repeated nature.
Patterns
- pester someone
- pester someone for something
- pester someone to do something
- constantly pester someone
The kids constantly pester their parents for candy at the store.
Stop constantly pestering me while I'm working!
She constantly pestered him to take her to the concert.
Common combinations
- pester someone for
- He constantly pestered his boss for a raise.
- pester someone to do
- They constantly pestered her to join the club.
- pester someone with questions
- The reporters constantly pestered the actor with questions.
Synonyms and how they differ
- nag
- Nag means to keep complaining or asking in an annoying way, often about chores; pester is more about repeated requests or interruptions.
- harass
- Harass is stronger and can be illegal or serious; pester is milder and often used for children or minor annoyances.
- badger
- Badger means to pester persistently, often with questions; it's similar but slightly more formal.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: constantly pester or pester?
constantly pester vs pester
Without 'constantly', pester can be a single act. 'Constantly pester' stresses that it happens all the time.
Practice
The children ______ their mother for ice cream until she finally gave in.
Choose one answer.
The past tense 'pestered' is needed because the action happened in the past. 'Pestering' would need a helping verb. 'Constant pester' is not grammatical (adjective + base verb). 'Constantly pester' is present tense and doesn't match the past time 'gave'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “constantly pester”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.