insist

/ɪnˈsɪst/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈsɪst/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈsist/ (ame, mw)

insist — 動詞

  • insistpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • insistshe / she / it
  • insistedpast simple
  • insisting-ing form

1. to say very firmly that something must happen or be done, especially when someon

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

堅持要求

強烈要求某事必須發生

to say very firmly that something must happen or be done, especially when someone else is against it.

例句

Hari insisted on paying for dinner, even though I offered to split the bill.

Hari 堅持要付晚餐的錢，即使我說要各付各的。

insist + on + gerund for demanding action

The doctor insisted that Beatrix stay in hospital for another night.

醫生堅持 Beatrix 必須再住院一晚。

insist + that-clause with subjunctive verb

同義詞
  • demand

    More neutral and forceful; used when you have authority or a right, while 'insist' is more about personal firmness against opposition.

  • require

    More formal and rule-based; typically used for official or legal obligations rather than personal demands.

  • stipulate

    Formal and specific; used when laying down exact conditions in a contract or agreement.

反義詞
  • surrender

    To give up one's demand or position.

  • yield

    To agree to someone else's demand rather than holding firm.

文法句型

insist + that-clause (with subjunctive or should)

insist + on + noun/gerund

insist + on + possessive + gerund (formal)

use without object: 'I insist!'

用法筆記

When followed by a that-clause for this sense, the verb in the that-clause often takes the subjunctive form (e.g., 'I insisted that he come' rather than 'comes'). In British English, 'should' is also common: 'I insisted that he should come.' The pattern 'insist on + possessive + gerund' is formal: 'They insisted on my staying for lunch.'

常見錯誤

❌She insisted to pay for everything.
✅She insisted on paying for everything.
💡'insist' takes 'on' before a gerund, not a to-infinitive.

2. to continue affirming that something is a fact, even when others doubt you or th

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

堅稱

堅持斷言某事為真

to continue affirming that something is a fact, even when others doubt you or the evidence points the other way.

例句

Mauricio insisted he had locked the door, though the key was still in the lock.

Mauricio 堅稱他鎖了門，但鑰匙還插在鎖孔裡。

insist + that-clause for asserting truth

Despite the test results, Min insisted that she was not tired.

即使檢查結果顯示她需要休息，Min 仍堅稱她不累。

insist despite contrary evidence

同義詞
  • assert

    More formal and neutral; you can assert something calmly, while 'insist' adds emotional force and repetition.

  • maintain

    Suggests keeping the same position over time; used in formal arguments and legal contexts.

  • claim

    Weaker than 'insist'; claim can be false or unproven, whereas 'insist' implies strong personal conviction.

  • contend

    More formal and argumentative; used when stating a position in a debate or dispute.

反義詞
  • deny

    To say something is not true, the opposite of asserting it firmly.

  • concede

    To admit that something is true after previously arguing against it.

文法句型

insist + that-clause (indicative, often omitting 'that')

insist + direct speech: "…," he insisted.

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, the that-clause for this sense takes an indicative verb (not subjunctive), because you are asserting a fact, not demanding an action. In informal speech, 'that' is often dropped: 'He insisted he was right.' Frequently occurs with direct speech quoting someone's emphatic statement.

常見錯誤

❌She insisted on the truth.
✅She insisted that the story was true.
💡When asserting truth, use a that-clause rather than 'insist on + noun'.