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

He insisted to swim in the deep end of the pool.

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 can sometimes lead to positive outcomes.

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 always) + adjective (effective) + prepositional phrase (in getting what you want).
• 2. Object

  She wanted me to insist on swimming in the race.

  She wanted me to insist on swimming in the race.

  • "Me *to insist* on swimming in the race" is the object of the verb "wanted."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wanted) + noun phrase (me *to insist* on swimming in the race).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a lifeguard to insist on swimming in the deep end.

  I need a lifeguard to insist on swimming in the deep end.

  • "*To insist* on swimming in the deep end" modifies the noun "lifeguard."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a lifeguard *to insist* on swimming in the deep end).

Insisting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Insisting on your rights is important.

  Insisting on your rights is important.

  • "*Insisting* on your rights" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + preposition (on) + possessive pronoun (your) + noun (rights).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy insisting on swimming in the fast lane.

  I enjoy insisting on swimming in the fast lane.

  • "*Insisting* on swimming in the fast lane" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*insisting* on swimming in the fast lane).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of insisting on swimming extra laps.

  She has a habit of insisting on swimming extra laps.

  • "Of *insisting* on swimming extra laps" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *insisting* on swimming extra laps).

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

• agree
• promise
• want
• demand
• refuse

Example

They agreed to insist on swimming together in the competition.

He promised to insist on swimming in the front lane.

We want to insist on swimming with proper technique.

She demanded to insist on swimming at her preferred time.

They refused to insist on swimming without a coach.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• mind
• consider
• postpone

Example

He avoids insisting on swimming in crowded pools.

They recommend insisting on swimming regularly for better results.

I don't mind insisting on swimming in the rain.

We are considering insisting on swimming with safety measures.

She postponed insisting on swimming until she felt better.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to insist on swimming in deep water. She likes insisting on swimming in deep water.

He began to insist on swimming every day. He began insisting on swimming every day.

They continue to insist on swimming despite the challenges. They continue insisting on swimming despite the challenges.