insist that 之后可用直陈语气

有一读者问:《许国璋英语》第三册中有一例句:

(1)He insisted that his method was correct.

这里为什么不用be而用was?

动词insist后接that从句时,有时意为“坚持要求”,有时则意为“坚持认为”。insist意为“坚持要求”或“定要”时,其后的that 从句须用虚拟时态,即“(should)+动词原形”,实例如:

(2)He insisted that she (should)be invited to the party.

insist意为“坚持认为”时,其后的that从句须用陈述语气,实例如:

(3)She insisted that he was wrong.