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 to 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 your rights is important.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To insist (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To insist is important in getting your point across.

  To insist is important in getting your point across.

  • "*To insist*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important in getting your point across).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to insist on better service.

  He wants me to insist on better service.

  • "Me *to insist* on better service" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to insist* on better service).
• 3. Adverbial Modifier

  She came early to insist on a good seat.

  She came early to insist on a good seat.

  • "*To insist* on a good seat" modifies the verb "came."
  • Noun (She) + verb (came) + adverb phrase (early *to insist* on a good seat).

Insisting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Insisting on fairness is essential in any negotiation.

  Insisting on fairness is essential in any negotiation.

  • "*Insisting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential in any negotiation).
• 2. Object

  I appreciate insisting on quality products.

  I appreciate insisting on quality products.

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

  He has a reputation for insisting on perfection.

  He has a reputation for insisting on perfection.

  • "For *insisting* on perfection" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a reputation for *insisting* on perfection).

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
• try
• wish
• plan

Example

They demand to insist on their rights.

He refuses to insist on doing the work alone.

We will try to insist on a fair deal.

I wish to insist on a proper investigation.

They plan to insist on better working conditions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• postpone
• deny

Example

They recommend insisting on clear communication.

She avoids insisting on her own way.

We are considering insisting on a refund.

He postponed insisting on immediate action.

They denied insisting on any wrongdoing.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to insist on a full refund. I would like insisting on a full refund.

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

She began to insist on better working conditions. She began insisting on better working conditions.