insist
- 01 B1 Intermediate
to say something very firmly, especially when other people do not believe you.
to assert a statement or claim emphatically, often in the face of doubt or contradiction.
Simple“He insisted that he had locked the door, even though it was open.”
In context“Despite the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution, the defendant continued to insist that he had never visited the property.”
UsageOften followed by a 'that' clause or the preposition 'on'.
PitfallShe insisted that she is right. She insisted that she was right.When 'insist' is in the past tense, the following verb usually moves back in time as well.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to say that something must happen or that someone must do something.
to demand a specific action or outcome persistently, refusing to accept a refusal.
Simple“My parents insist that I finish my homework before I go out.”
In context“The manager insisted on a full written report by Monday morning, regardless of the team's current workload.”
UsageCommonly takes 'on' followed by a gerund, or a 'that' clause using the subjunctive mood in formal contexts.
PitfallI insist you to come. I insist that you come.Do not use 'insist' with an object and an infinitive. Use a 'that' clause instead.
Partly from Middle French insister, from Latin īnsistere; and partly from a back-formation from insistence. Compare typologically from the same PIE root Bulgarian настоявам (nastojavam), Russian наста́ивать (nastáivatʹ).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.