insist

insist — verb

1. to say very firmly that something must happen or be done, especially when someon

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to say very firmly that something must happen or be done, especially when someone else is against it.

例句

Hari insisted on paying for dinner, even though I offered to split the bill.

insist + on + gerund for demanding action

The doctor insisted that Beatrix stay in hospital for another night.

insist + that-clause with subjunctive verb

同義詞
  • demand

    More neutral and forceful; used when you have authority or a right, while 'insist' is more about personal firmness against opposition.

  • require

    More formal and rule-based; typically used for official or legal obligations rather than personal demands.

  • stipulate

    Formal and specific; used when laying down exact conditions in a contract or agreement.

反義詞
  • surrender

    To give up one's demand or position.

  • yield

    To agree to someone else's demand rather than holding firm.

文法句型

insist + that-clause (with subjunctive or should)

insist + on + noun/gerund

insist + on + possessive + gerund (formal)

use without object: 'I insist!'

用法筆記

When followed by a that-clause for this sense, the verb in the that-clause often takes the subjunctive form (e.g., 'I insisted that he come' rather than 'comes'). In British English, 'should' is also common: 'I insisted that he should come.' The pattern 'insist on + possessive + gerund' is formal: 'They insisted on my staying for lunch.'

常見錯誤

❌She insisted to pay for everything.
✅She insisted on paying for everything.
💡'insist' takes 'on' before a gerund, not a to-infinitive.

2. to continue affirming that something is a fact, even when others doubt you or th

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to continue affirming that something is a fact, even when others doubt you or the evidence points the other way.

例句

Mauricio insisted he had locked the door, though the key was still in the lock.

insist + that-clause for asserting truth

Despite the test results, Min insisted that she was not tired.

insist despite contrary evidence

同義詞
  • assert

    More formal and neutral; you can assert something calmly, while 'insist' adds emotional force and repetition.

  • maintain

    Suggests keeping the same position over time; used in formal arguments and legal contexts.

  • claim

    Weaker than 'insist'; claim can be false or unproven, whereas 'insist' implies strong personal conviction.

  • contend

    More formal and argumentative; used when stating a position in a debate or dispute.

反義詞
  • deny

    To say something is not true, the opposite of asserting it firmly.

  • concede

    To admit that something is true after previously arguing against it.

文法句型

insist + that-clause (indicative, often omitting 'that')

insist + direct speech: "…," he insisted.

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, the that-clause for this sense takes an indicative verb (not subjunctive), because you are asserting a fact, not demanding an action. In informal speech, 'that' is often dropped: 'He insisted he was right.' Frequently occurs with direct speech quoting someone's emphatic statement.

常見錯誤

❌She insisted on the truth.
✅She insisted that the story was true.
💡When asserting truth, use a that-clause rather than 'insist on + noun'.