To Insist vs Insisting Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To insist (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to insist" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I insist to speak with the manager.

Insisting (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "insisting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Insisting on perfection can lead to unnecessary stress.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To insist (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To insist is not always effective in getting what you want.

  To insist is not always effective in getting what you want.

  • "*To insist*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adverb (not) + adjective (always effective) + prepositional phrase (in getting what you want).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to insist on a refund.

  She wants me to insist on a refund.

  • "Me *to insist* on a refund" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to insist* on a refund).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need you to insist on following the rules.

  I need you to insist on following the rules.

  • "*To insist* on following the rules" modifies the pronoun "you."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + pronoun (you) + infinitive phrase (to insist on following the rules).

Insisting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Insisting on punctuality is important in the workplace.

  Insisting on punctuality is important in the workplace.

  • "*Insisting* on punctuality" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (important) + prepositional phrase (in the workplace).
• 2. Object

  I appreciate her insisting on honesty.

  I appreciate her insisting on honesty.

  • "*Insisting* on honesty" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + pronoun (her) + gerund (*insisting* on honesty).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a habit of insisting on doing things his way.

  He has a habit of insisting on doing things his way.

  • "Of *insisting* on doing things his way" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *insisting* on doing things his way).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• demand
• refuse
• hope
• choose
• determine

Example

He demands to insist on his rights.

They refuse to insist on their innocence.

We hope to insist on fair treatment.

She chose to insist on her decision.

I determined to insist on finding the truth.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• mind
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy insisting on attention to detail.

I recommend insisting on clear communication.

Do you mind insisting on confidentiality?

We avoid insisting on perfection.

Can you imagine him insisting on being right all the time?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to insist on thoroughness. She likes insisting on thoroughness.

He started to insist on equal treatment. He started insisting on equal treatment.

They began to insist on accountability. They began insisting on accountability.