insist

USAGE SUMMARY

The word ‘insist’ is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong determination or resolve to do something. For example, “My parents insisted that I get a college degree before I start my career.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At this G20 I brought together a crucial meeting between President Obama and fellow European leaders to insist on urgent progress on a comprehensive EU-US trade deal that could add £10bn to the UK economy alone.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's counterproductive for Wong to insist that it isn't enough for conservative women to merely support the principles of gender equality.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is the kernel at the heart of so many harassment cases: the stalker will insist, with an air of honest bafflement, that they are simply exercising their right to free speech.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If you've got a fixed-term tenancy and you want to leave before it ends, the landlord can insist that you keep paying rent for the full length of the tenancy," says Khan. "If you have a joint fixed-term tenancy it can't be ended early unless all the housemates and the landlord agree, which is known as a surrender, or if there is a break clause in the tenancy agreement.

The Guardian

It has returned an MP from the party at every election since 1964 – including Peter Mandelson, Labour's prince of darkness, who continues to insist he did not really mistake mushy peas for guacamole during one of his early reccies to the coastal town.

The Guardian

Better Together officials insist that the decision to focus on the NHS was a panic measure after Salmond's debate defeat.

The Guardian

During rehearsals, he's careful to insist that, within the limits of period etiquette, his courtiers and peasants behave like real individuals, rather than ballet ciphers.

The Guardian

And yet many people continue to insist that it doesn't.

The Guardian

Penal authorities insist that self-organisation helps rehabilitation by giving prisoners responsibilities.

The Guardian

But the cities insist their agenda is cross-party, and they have commissioned research from right-leaning thinktank ResPublica, which will be published alongside their charter next month.

The Guardian

Paul walked back that statement on Monday, telling a Fox News interviewer "hyperbole can get the better of anyone", but the remark gave a glimpse into what critics insist is the senator's achilles heel: a susceptibility to the charge that he is a radical, fringe candidate cut from the same cloth as his father.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "insist" with a 'that' clause to clearly specify the object of insistence, or use a prepositional phrase to indicate what one is insisting on.

Common error

While "insist" conveys strong conviction, overuse can make writing sound aggressive. Consider alternatives like "suggest", "recommend", or "propose" for a more diplomatic tone, especially in professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "insist" is as a verb, used to express a firm demand or unwavering declaration of a belief. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage, affirming its role in conveying conviction and resolve.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "insist" is a verb used to express a firm declaration, belief, or demand. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical usage is correct, and it's very commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. To avoid sounding overly assertive, especially in professional settings, alternatives like "suggest" or "recommend" may be more appropriate. As shown in real-world examples, "insist" is a versatile word that can add emphasis and conviction to your writing, as long as it's used thoughtfully and strategically.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain

Emphasizes a continued assertion or belief, often in the face of opposition.

assert

Highlights a confident and forceful statement of a fact or belief.

demand

Conveys a firm requirement or expectation that something be done.

stand firm

Focuses on unwavering resolve and refusal to compromise.

take a stand

Highlights the act of publicly and resolutely advocating for a cause or belief.

urge

Implies a strong recommendation or encouragement, often with a sense of importance.

emphasize

Highlights the importance or significance of a particular point or fact.

stress

Similar to emphasize, but often implies a sense of urgency or concern.

contend

Suggests arguing or debating a point, often in a formal or legal setting.

hold

Indicates a belief or opinion that is firmly maintained.

FAQs

How to use "insist" in a sentence?

"Insist" is used to emphasize a strong belief or demand. For example, "She insisted that he apologize" or "They insisted on seeing the manager".

What can I say instead of "insist"?

You can use alternatives like "maintain", "assert", or "demand" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "insist to"?

It's generally more correct to say "insist on" followed by a noun or gerund (e.g., "insist on seeing") or "insist that" followed by a clause (e.g., "insist that he leave").

What's the difference between "insist" and "suggest"?

"Insist" implies a strong, unwavering demand or belief, while "suggest" offers a milder recommendation or idea. "I insist you leave" shows a firm command, while "I suggest you leave" is a polite recommendation.