ask insistently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask insistently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to convey that someone is requesting something in a persistent or demanding manner. Example: "Despite her initial reluctance, he continued to ask insistently for her opinion on the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Yet when Oliva was in custody on March 2, the detectives began to ask insistently about Collins.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Did it hit the mark?" he asked insistently.

The Guardian

When a customer asked, insistently, the company began making tables, then chairs, then cabinets.

Yale University

The famously stiff and distant campaigner is also the one who asks insistently: "How'd I do?

The New York Times - Books

Would Mr. Bennett's request for a court-appointed lawyer, which prompted a recess for a week, be granted, she asked insistently.

The New York Times

Mr. Massino replied that he cared about his family — the one with his wife and mother — and Mr. Goltzer began asking insistently about the number of people Mr. Massino had killed who had violated the oath of the crime family.

The New York Times

Reading interviews in the German press from the 1950's to the late 70's, it is amazing to see that writers were seldom asked about their books, but rather asked insistently about Richard Nixon and rearmament, about Willy Brandt and Leonid Brezhnev, about everything in the headlines of the day.

The New York Times

Medieval creditors learned not to regard lending to monarchs as risk-free; ask too insistently for your money back and you could lose your head.Western democracies have a better repayment record than tyrannies because they have enjoyed a long period of economic growth with rising tax revenues.

The Economist

'Look here, is Hercule Poirot in this house?' I asked more insistently.

The Guardian - Books

No genre is wilder than horror, but none asks more insistently to be rooted in time and place, and to be keyed to touchable objects.

The New Yorker

Ever since then Mr. Romney has been asked – most insistently at a Univision forum in September – whether he would repeal it if he were elected president.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ask insistently" to emphasize the persistence and determination behind a question or request. This can be particularly effective in portraying a character's strong desire for information or action.

Common error

Avoid using "ask insistently" excessively in dialogue tags. Overuse can make the writing feel repetitive and less natural. Vary your dialogue tags to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask insistently" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "ask" is the main verb and "insistently" is an adverb modifying it. It describes the manner in which the action of asking is performed, emphasizing persistence. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask insistently" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of questioning or requesting something in a persistent and emphatic manner. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correctly used in written English. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news media, academic writing, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, consider the level of formality required for your writing and if alternative phrases such as "press with questions" or "demand an answer" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

press with questions

Emphasizes continuous questioning, putting pressure on the person being questioned.

persist in questioning

Highlights the act of continuing to question despite potential resistance.

keep inquiring

Simple restatement of continuous questioning.

press for details

Focuses on the act of pushing for more specific information.

repeatedly inquire

Focuses on the repetition of the inquiry, stressing persistence.

urge an explanation

Highlights the strong encouragement to provide an explanation.

demand an answer

Shifts the focus to requiring a response, adding a sense of authority.

hound with requests

Suggests relentless and bothersome requests.

badger for information

Implies a more aggressive and annoying form of persistent questioning.

importune for a response

Uses a formal term suggesting persistent and troublesome requests.

FAQs

How can I use "ask insistently" in a sentence?

You can use "ask insistently" to describe someone who is persistently seeking information or a response. For example, "The reporter continued to "ask insistently" about the company's financial records."

What are some alternatives to "ask insistently"?

Some alternatives include "press with questions", "repeatedly inquire", or "demand an answer". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "ask insistently" or "insistently ask"?

"Ask insistently" is generally preferred because it flows more naturally in English. "Insistently ask" is grammatically correct, but less common and can sound slightly awkward.

What's the difference between "ask insistently" and "inquire persistently"?

"Ask insistently" implies a sense of urgency or strong desire, while "inquire persistently" suggests a more methodical and unwavering approach to seeking information. The former can come across as more demanding, while the latter is more about continued effort.