insist

insist
insist
takes several constructions in current English in the meaning ‘to assert as a demand’: you can insist on something (or on doing something), you can insist that something be done (subjunctive, with that optionally omitted, or with should as an alternative), or you can simply insist (with no complement). Examples:

• Tony insisted that she accompany him to a meeting of the Literary Society —A. S. Byatt, 1985

• And I, maliciously, insisted he take the most comfortable chair —Penelope Lively, 1987

• Henry had not wanted to bring Louisa on the expedition but she had cried to go, and the adults insisted that she not be left behind —L. Clarke, 1989

• The family received me very warmly and Signora Ugolotti insisted that I should have something to eat —W. Newby, 1991

• They insisted on spending ages there wandering around choosing a book each —Yorkshire Post 2002

• Keep it sexual by insisting that she leave her underwear at home —fashion website, AmE 2004.

When insist means ‘assert as a fact or truth’, it is followed by a that-clause with an ordinary indicative (i.e. not subjunctive) verb:

• He insisted that the government was incapable of resolving the structural crisis of the country —Socialist Worker Online, 2003.


Modern English usage. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • insist on — (also insist upon) [phrasal verb] 1 insist on/upon (something) or insist on/upon doing (something) : to say or show that you believe that something is necessary or very important My source insisted on anonymity. She insists on doing everything… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Insist — In*sist , v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Insisted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Insisting}.] [F. insister, L. insistere to set foot upon, follow, persist; pref. in in + sistere to stand, cause to stand. See {Stand}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To stand or rest; to find… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • insist — I verb accent, accentuate, argue, be obstinate, be peremptory, be resolute, bid, brook no denial, command, contend, demand, dictate, efflagitare, emphasize, enforce, enjoin, exact, exert pressure, exhort, exposcere, force upon, importune, impose …   Law dictionary

  • insist — ► VERB 1) demand or state forcefully, without accepting refusal or contradiction. 2) (insist on) persist in (doing). ORIGIN Latin insistere persist , from sistere stand …   English terms dictionary

  • insist on — index call (demand), constrain (compel), enforce, enjoin, order, require (compel) …   Law dictionary

  • insist — (v.) 1580s, from L. insistere persist, dwell upon, stand upon, from in upon (see IN (Cf. in ) (2)) + sistere take a stand (see ASSIST (Cf. assist)). Perhaps in some cases a back formation from insistence. Related: Insisted; insisting …   Etymology dictionary

  • insist — [v] order and expect; claim assert, asseverate, aver, be firm, contend, demand, hold, importune, lay down the law*, maintain, persist, press, reiterate, repeat, request, require, stand firm, swear, take a stand*, urge, vow; concepts 49,53 Ant.… …   New thesaurus

  • insist — [in sist′] vi. [MFr insister < L insistere, to stand on, pursue diligently, persist < in , in, on + sistere, to stand, redupl. of stare, STAND] to take and maintain a stand or make a firm demand: often with on or upon vt. 1. to demand… …   English World dictionary

  • insist — in|sist [ ın sıst ] verb intransitive or transitive *** 1. ) to say very firmly that something must happen or be done: You must see a doctor immediately; I insist. Roger, he insisted, we must hurry. insist (that): She insisted that we stay at her …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • insist — in|sist W2S3 [ınˈsıst] v [Date: 1500 1600; : Latin; Origin: insistere [i] to stand on, continue with determination , from sistere to stand ] 1.) to say firmly and often that something is true, especially when other people think it may not be true …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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