According to Cobuild (Collins) (Chapter 1:7), the verb + -ing form catenation has three structures (not confusing the non-catenative strings such as Under the trees Bill strolled, looking at the flower beds):
[examples partly adapted]
[1] Verbs in phase (ie a two-verb structure where essentially one two-part concept is expressed):
The sea came rushing in.
He started / kept / stopped crying.
She avoided looking at him.
I won't bother going.
Have you tried asking?
I'm going shopping.
(These mostly invite echo questions such as 'What did he start doing?' 'What won't you bother doing?' With the 'going fishing' type, the echo question would be 'You're going ...?)
[2] Verb with object (ie with what is often termed a gerund)
I like being alone.
Have you considered applying?
She recommended staying.
He didn't remember leaving.
This involves stripping down the engine.
(These mostly invite echo questions such as 'What have you considered?' 'What does this involve?')
[3] Verb with adjunct ( depictive or resultative)
The soldiers died fighting.
Their boat finished up pointing the wrong way.
(These mostly invite echo questions such as 'How did the soldiers die?' (ie What was the manner of their death) 'How did the boat end up?')
I'd argue that these usages are [1] verbal, [2] verbal-nounal, and [3] adverbial or adjectival.
Best Answer
The object of a prepositional phrase is almost always a noun or functions as a noun (e.g. a gerund). You can see, then that the prepositional phrase
from to insist...breaks this rule of thumb.From insisting...would be better.