expostulate

IPA/ɪkˈspɒstʃəleɪt/
IPA/ɪkˈspɑːstʃəleɪt/

expostulate — 動詞

  • expostulatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • expostulateshe / she / it
  • expostulatedpast simple
  • expostulating-ing form

1. to tell someone earnestly why you believe their action or decision is wrong, hop

1.動詞不及物C2
釋義

規勸；諫阻

以理由極力說服改變決定

to tell someone earnestly why you believe their action or decision is wrong, hoping to persuade them to change their mind — used in formal or literary English.

例句

Astrid expostulated with her brother about his plan to drop out of university.

Astrid 對弟弟打算休學的計畫提出規勸，希望他改變心意。

expostulate + with + person + about + issue

In an open letter, Henry expostulated against the mayor's decision to close the public library.

Henry 在一封公開信中極力諫阻市長關閉公立圖書館的決定。

expostulate + against + decision or policy

同義詞
  • remonstrate

    equally formal, but focuses on stating objections rather than reasoning at length to persuade

  • protest

    much more common and less formal; can be used without the nuance of trying to change someone's mind

  • argue

    a broader, everyday word that covers any exchange of opposing views, not necessarily with the earnest tone of expostulate

反義詞
  • acquiesce

    to accept something quietly without protest — the opposite of actively objecting

  • concur

    to agree formally, the opposite of expressing disagreement

文法句型

expostulate with [person] about [issue]

expostulate against [decision or policy]

expostulate on [topic]

用法筆記

Almost always followed by a preposition: use 'with' before the person you are reasoning with, and 'about', 'against', or 'on' for the topic. This verb is very rare in everyday speech — learners are more likely to encounter it in literary texts, formal speeches, or historical writing.

常見錯誤

❌She expostulated him about the decision.
✅She expostulated with him about the decision.
💡'expostulate' requires 'with' before the person; it does not take a direct object.
❌I expostulated that the plan was too risky.
✅I expostulated against the plan, saying it was too risky.
💡'expostulate' is not followed by a that-clause; use a prepositional phrase instead.