予以

• Pinyin: yǔ yǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 予 = hand extending an object (classical — to give, grant); 以 = 人 + 乙 (classical instrumental particle — by means of, with)

Meaning

To give; to bestow; to accord; to grant. A formal verb used to indicate that something (approval, punishment, support, attention) is officially extended or administered to a recipient.

A classical verb construction always followed by a noun object indicating what is being granted: 予以批准 (to grant approval), 予以处分 (to administer disciplinary action), 予以支持 (to extend support), 予以关注 (to accord attention). More formal and official than 给予 and far more elevated than plain 给. Predominantly used in administrative, legal, and official written contexts.

Examples

1. 经审核，申请材料齐全有效，主管部门决定予以正式批准，并在三十个工作日内发证。 After review, the application materials were found complete and valid, so the authority decided to grant formal approval and issue the certificate within thirty working days.
2. 该官员多次收受巨额贿赂，纪检机关依法予以立案调查，并决定开除党籍和公职。 The official took huge bribes many times, so the discipline inspection authorities opened an investigation and decided to expel him from the Party and public office.
3. 经专家论证和征求意见后，市政府决定予以采纳，并纳入下一个五年交通规划。 After expert review and public consultation, the city government decided to adopt it and include it in the next five-year transport plan.

Usage Guide

Context: administration, legal, official documents, policy

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 对情节严重的当事人，校学术委员会决定予以撤销学位，并要求期刊发布撤稿声明。(For those with serious misconduct, the university academic committee decided to revoke the degree and required the journal to issue a retraction statement.)
• 经评估，企业已基本达标，主管机关决定予以解除经营限制，并继续跟踪其合规情况。(After evaluation, the company was found to have basically met the requirements, so the authority decided to lift the operating restrictions and continue monitoring its compliance.)

Don't Say

• 我予以你一个建议 — 予以 requires an institutional or official subject granting something formal; it cannot be used by an individual giving casual advice to a friend; use 给你一个建议 or 向你提出一个建议 instead

Origin & History

予 (to give — a classical character depicting a hand extending something) + 以 (with/by means of — classical instrumental particle). Together: to extend by means of [official action].

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal