cavil at something
后接介词at，表示对某事挑剔。
He cavilled at the proposal.
他对这个提议吹毛求疵。
吹毛求疵；挑剔
caviling — present participle of cavil
为了琐碎或轻率的理由而批评。
To criticize for petty or frivolous reasons.
为了琐碎或轻率的理由而批评。
To criticise for petty or frivolous reasons.
一般现在时
She cavils at every suggestion.
她对每个建议都吹毛求疵。
一般过去时
He cavilled about the minor details.
他对细枝末节挑三拣四。
现在进行时
They are cavilling over nothing.
他们正无事生非地挑剔。
英式拼写中现在分词和过去式双写l。
He always cavils at minor details instead of focusing on the main issue.
他总是挑剔细枝末节，而不是关注主要问题。
用法提示：动词cavil表示吹毛求疵，后接介词at引出挑剔的对象。
She cavilled about the waiter's pronunciation but the food was delicious.
她对服务员的发音吹毛求疵，但食物很美味。
用法提示：过去式cavilled用于描述过去的挑剔行为。
Stop cavilling and appreciate the effort everyone put in.
别再吹毛求疵了，大家都很努力。
用法提示：现在分词cavilling用于祈使句，表示持续挑剔。
后接介词at，表示对某事挑剔。
He cavilled at the proposal.
他对这个提议吹毛求疵。
She is always cavilling about minor details.
她总是对细枝末节吹毛求疵。
They cavilled over the wording of the contract.
他们对合同的措辞吹毛求疵。
grammar · medium
易错句子He cavilled on my suggestion.
正确表达He cavilled at my suggestion.
cavil 后接介词 at / about / over，不接 on。表示'对...挑剔'时，固定搭配是 cavil at。
grammar · medium
易错句子She cavilled my report without giving any reason.
正确表达She cavilled at my report without giving any reason.
cavil 是不及物动词，不能直接接宾语，需加介词 at 或 about。
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