both insists

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both insists" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used when referring to two subjects that are making a strong demand or assertion, but it requires a subject that can be pluralized. Example: "Both the manager and the team member insist that the project deadline is non-negotiable."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's a point of view that both insists upon, and resists, closeness.

The New York Times - Books

He is often short-tempered and demanding with his staff, and he both insists on and receives total loyalty.

The New Yorker

The "Unfinished Conversation" video both insists on the lives of black people and advocates for the futures of black people without prescribing what those lives or futures might be.

The New Yorker

To put the point differently, whereas pure proceduralist conceptions of democratic legitimacy are monistic about legitimacy, Estlund's "epistemic proceduralism" is non-monistic, as it both insists that (deliberative) democratic procedures of decision-making are essential for political legitimacy and requires that these procedures approximate, as much as possible, an ideal outcome.

SEP

Charyn both insists on the likely inaccuracy of his biographical interpretations of her poems, yet offers them anyway: In this sense, he may be the perversely perfect critic for the poet who wandered "The House of Supposition — / The Glimmering Frontier that / Skirts the Acres of Perhaps—." —LAURA KOLBE.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Both insist that the answer is: nothing.

The Economist

Both insist that there is no rivalry.

The New York Times

They both insist that's how it would unfold.

The New York Times - Magazine

Both insist that North Korea must give up its nuclear ambitions.

The Economist

Curnyn and Kosky both insist on Rameau's innate intensity.

The Guardian - Music

Both insist the endorsement was not a quid pro quo.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to two entities making the same claim, use a grammatically correct structure such as "they both insist" or "both parties maintain".

Common error

Avoid using "both insists" as it violates subject-verb agreement. "Both" implies a plural subject, which requires the plural form of the verb, such as "insist".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both insists" functions as a conjunction intended to connect two subjects to a single act of asserting something. However, the construction is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI signals that the construction is flawed, further validating the ungrammatical nature.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "both insists" is grammatically incorrect because "both" requires a plural verb form like "insist". As Ludwig AI clearly indicates, this construction violates subject-verb agreement. The correct alternatives include "they both insist" or "both assert/maintain". While examples exist primarily in news media and science, they do not validate the phrase's correctness. When writing, always ensure subject-verb agreement to maintain credibility and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both maintain

Replaces "insists" with "maintain", which is grammatically correct when used with "both".

both assert

Uses "assert" instead of "insists", correcting the grammatical structure.

they both insist

Adds a subject ("they") to properly conjugate the verb "insist".

both of them insist

Adds "of them" to clarify that "both" refers to a specific group of people, allowing for correct verb conjugation.

they both assert

Combines the correction of adding "they" with the alternative verb "assert".

each insists

Shifts the focus to individual insistence rather than a collective one.

they jointly insist

Emphasizes that the insistence is happening together. The use of 'jointly' makes it closer to the source meaning.

both are adamant

Replaces the verb with an adjective describing a state of insistence.

both firmly state

Uses "firmly state" to convey a strong declaration from both subjects.

the two insist

Corrects the grammar by specifying "the two" as the subject, allowing for correct verb conjugation.

FAQs

Why is "both insists" grammatically incorrect?

The term "both" implies plurality, so the verb must agree with a plural subject. The correct form is "both insist". You can also use a construction like "they both insist".

What can I say instead of "both insists"?

Alternatives include "they both insist", "both assert", or "both maintain".

Is it ever correct to use "insists" when referring to two subjects?

No, "insists" is the singular form of the verb. When referring to two subjects, the plural form "insist" is required. A proper construction would be "He insists" and "She insists".

How can I correctly use "both" and "insist" in a sentence?

Ensure the subject and verb agree by using "both insist" or by adding a subject like "they": "They "both insist" that the terms are met".