he insists that

USAGE SUMMARY

"he insists that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that someone is very confident and determined about something they have said. Example: He insists that he will be able to build the project by the end of the month.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He insists that is balderdash.

The New York Times

It is the other side, he insists, that has delusions.

Forbes

He insists that is no cause for alarm.

Forbes

More bizarrely, he insists that Christians probably make better archers.

Huffington Post

He insists that kind of blasé attitude is dangerous.

Vice

He insists that he is never lonely.

The New Yorker

Sadistically he insists that they keep going.

The New Yorker

He insists that "it's not utopia".

The Economist

He insists that he wasn't looking.

The New York Times

He insists that he is broke.

The Guardian

Later on, he insists that nothing happened.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he insists that" when you want to emphasize the strength of someone's belief or assertion, especially when there might be doubt or opposition.

Common error

Avoid using "he insists that" excessively in contexts where a neutral tone is required. Opt for more objective alternatives like "he stated that" or "he noted that" to maintain impartiality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he insists that" serves as a reporting verb construction, specifically highlighting the subject's strong conviction or assertion regarding a particular statement. It emphasizes the speaker's firm belief, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he insists that" is a common and grammatically correct way to report someone's strong assertion or conviction. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is most frequently used in news and media contexts to emphasize a subject's firm belief, even when there might be opposing views or doubts. While it is generally suitable for various registers, be mindful of overusing it in contexts that demand strict neutrality. Consider alternatives such as "he maintains that" or "he asserts that" to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to emphasize conviction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is adamant that

Replaces "insists" with "is adamant", conveying a stronger sense of unwavering conviction.

he maintains that

Replaces "insists" with "maintains", suggesting a continued assertion over time.

he asserts that

Uses "asserts" instead of "insists", implying a confident and forceful statement.

he contends that

Substitutes "insists" with "contends", indicating a claim made in the face of potential disagreement.

he affirms that

Replaces "insists" with "affirms", suggesting a declaration of truth or validity.

he declares that

Uses "declares" instead of "insists", implying a formal and often public announcement.

he emphasizes that

Substitutes "insists" with "emphasizes", highlighting the importance of a particular point.

he stresses that

Replaces "insists" with "stresses", indicating a strong emphasis on a specific aspect.

he points out that

Uses "points out" instead of "insists", suggesting a clarification or reminder of a fact.

he stands by that

Uses "stands by that" instead of "insists", indicating continued support for a previous statement.

FAQs

How can I use "he insists that" in a sentence?

Use "he insists that" to highlight someone's firm belief or declaration about something. For example, "He insists that he is innocent, despite the evidence against him."

What are some alternatives to "he insists that"?

You can use alternatives such as "he maintains that", "he asserts that", or "he contends that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "he insists that"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize someone's conviction, especially when there's a possibility of doubt or disagreement. It suggests a strong, unwavering belief.

What is the difference between "he insists that" and "he suggests that"?

"He insists that" implies a strong, unwavering assertion, while "he suggests that" indicates a more tentative or speculative proposition.