What Does “Insist That…” Mean?
The verb insist is used to express a strong belief or demand. When followed by a that-clause, it often introduces a subjunctive mood in formal English.
Structure
There are two common ways to use “insist that”:
-
Formal / Subjunctive (more common in American English):
insist that + subject + base verb
Example: She insists that he leave now. -
Informal / Modal “should” (more common in British English):
insist that + subject + should + base verb
Example: She insists that he should leave now.
Note: In American English, the “should” version is often considered unnecessary or less preferred. In British English, both forms are acceptable, though the “should” form is more frequent in speech.
Examples
- They insisted that we be on time. (subjunctive)
- They insisted that we should be on time. (with “should”)
- He insists that she apologize. (not “apologizes”)
- He insists that she should apologize.
Key Points to Remember
- The subjunctive form uses the base verb (e.g., “go”, “be”, “do”), regardless of the subject.
- Do not add -s for third-person singular in the subjunctive: ❌ “He insists that she apologizes.”
- Both structures are grammatically correct, but usage varies by region and formality.