Formal verbs: 进行, 加以, 给予, 受到, 得到
The 'empty' verbs of written Chinese, which carry a two-syllable action noun: 进行研究, 受到欢迎.
Part of the free B2 Chinese course (about HSK 5). Examples are in Simplified characters, with pinyin only for some new or hard words; press the speaker to hear one with your device's Chinese voice.
Verbs that carry another verb
Written Chinese often turns an action into a noun and hangs it on a light verb: instead of 研究这个问题 (research this problem), 对这个问题进行研究 (carry out research on this problem). The meaning is in the noun; the light verb sets the register.
| Verb | Pinyin | Meaning | Typical nouns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 进行 | jìnxíng | carry out | 讨论, 研究, 调查, 检查, 改革 |
| 加以 | jiāyǐ | apply (an action to it) | 分析, 解决, 改进, 考虑 |
| 给予 | jǐyǔ | give, grant | 帮助, 支持, 奖励, 关注 |
| 受到 | shòudào | receive, be subjected to | 欢迎, 批评, 影响, 表扬 |
| 得到 | dédào | obtain, gain | 帮助, 支持, 解决, 提高, 认可 |
The dictionary reading of 给予 is jǐyǔ. You will hear gěiyǔ in casual speech, but jǐyǔ is the standard (and the one tested).
进行 and 加以
Both take a two-syllable verbal noun, never a one-syllable verb (进行学习, not 进行学). The thing acted on goes in front, usually with 对 (or 就 for a topic of talks); it can't follow the verbal noun as an object.
- 专家们对这个问题进行了深入的研究。The experts carried out in-depth research on this problem.
- 警方正在对事故原因进行调查。The police are investigating the cause of the accident.
- 对于学生提出的意见，学校应该认真加以考虑。The school should give careful consideration to the opinions students raise.
加以 refers to something already mentioned. Grammars and editors say it takes no 了 (加以了 does turn up, but is treated as non-standard); for a completed action, use 进行了 or the plain verb.
给予, 受到, 得到
给予 gives something abstract: 给予帮助, 给予支持. 受到 receives anything, good or bad (受到批评, 受到欢迎). 得到 obtains something wanted (得到帮助, 得到解决), so it doesn't go with criticism (得到批评 is wrong). The set phrase 得到应有的惩罚 (get the punishment one deserves) is the well-known exception.
- 政府给予了灾区大量援助。The government gave the disaster area a great deal of aid.
- 这部电影受到了观众的欢迎。This film was well received by audiences.
- 他的努力得到了大家的认可。His efforts were recognised by everyone.
- 交通问题终于得到了解决。The traffic problem was finally solved.
Common mistakes
我们进行了讨论这个问题。→ 我们对这个问题进行了讨论。The object goes in front with 对; or just say 我们讨论了这个问题.进行学→ 进行学习。进行 needs a two-syllable verbal noun.他得到了老师的批评。→ 受到了老师的批评。得到 is for things you want.我们加以了分析。→ 我们对数据加以分析 / 进行了分析。加以 takes no 了 (the standard rule in grammars and editing).- 我们晚上进行吃饭吧。 is wrong and also far too formal for an everyday action: 我们晚上一起吃饭吧.
Practice
- 双方就合作问题_____了友好的会谈。// The two sides held friendly talks on cooperation.Options: 进行 · 受到 · 给予
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进行 — 进行会谈 = hold talks. 就 introduces the topic.
- 他因为迟到_____了经理的批评。// He was criticised by the manager for being late.Options: 受到 · 得到 · 给予
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受到 — 受到 can receive unwelcome things; 得到 can't.
- 在大家的帮助下，他的汉语水平_____了很大的提高。// With everyone's help, his Chinese improved a lot.Options: 得到 · 受到 · 进行
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得到 — 得到提高: gained an improvement.
- 学校对表现优秀的学生_____奖励。// The school gives rewards to students who perform well.Options: 给予 · 受到 · 得到
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给予 — The school gives, so 给予.