insist
ihn-SIHST
Insist (verb) means to state something firmly and repeatedly, refusing to accept disagreement. Example: “I insist that you stay for lunch before you drive home.”
verb
1
To state something firmly and repeatedly, refusing to accept disagreement.
"I insist that you stay for lunch before you drive home."
"She insisted that she had locked the door."
"He insisted on paying for dinner even though we offered to split it."
How to use insist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo keep firmly demanding or stating something, and not back down.
Common pairings
insist on
insist that
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- insists
- Past tense
- insisted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I _____ that you stay for lunch before you drive home.
Etymology
From Latin insistere ("to stand upon, persist"), from in- + sistere ("to stand").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “insist” mean?
The word “insist” means to state something firmly and repeatedly, refusing to accept disagreement. In plain terms, to keep firmly demanding or stating something, and not back down.
How do you pronounce “insist”?
“Insist” is pronounced ihn-SIHST (/ɪnˈsɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “insist” in a sentence?
Here is “insist” used in a sentence: “She insisted that she had locked the door.”
What part of speech is “insist”?
“Insist” is a verb.
Where does the word “insist” come from?
The word “insist” comes from Latin. From Latin insistere ("to stand upon, persist"), from in- + sistere ("to stand").
Is “insist” a common word?
“Insist” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
Which preposition do you use with insist?
Insist takes "on" — or the more formal "upon" — before a noun or -ing form: "she insisted on paying," "he insists upon silence." "Insist to do something" is incorrect; use "insist on doing" or a that-clause instead.
What is the difference between insist and persist?
To insist is to state something firmly and repeatedly, refusing to accept disagreement — it is about asserting a point or requirement. To persist is to continue doing something despite difficulty or opposition. You insist that you are right; you persist in trying.
What is the difference between insist and demand?
Both involve pressing firmly, but demand focuses on requiring an action or thing from someone, often from a position of authority, while insist emphasizes refusing to back down from a statement or position. You can insist that something is true without demanding that anything be done about it.
Does insist take the subjunctive?
When insist introduces a requirement, formal English — especially American English — uses the subjunctive: "she insisted that he be on time." When insist simply reports a firm assertion of fact, the ordinary indicative is used: "he insisted that he was innocent."
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