加以 / 进行: formal "dummy" verbs
动词 / verbs
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
对 + O + 加以/进行 + two-syllable V (研究、分析、处理…)
Formal writing often turns an action verb into a verbal noun after a support verb:
• 进行 + ongoing activity: 进行调查 (carry out a survey), 进行讨论, 进行研究.
• 加以 + treatment applied to something already mentioned: 对…加以分析/保护/改进.
The following verb must be disyllabic and take no object (the object moves in front with 对). It's the "conduct an analysis of…" style.
Examples
专家对这条河的污染情况进行了调查。
Zhuānjiā duì zhè tiáo hé de wūrǎn qíngkuàng jìnxíng le diàochá.Experts carried out a survey of the river's pollution.
这些问题必须及时加以解决。
Zhèxiē wèntí bìxū jíshí jiāyǐ jiějué.These problems must be dealt with promptly.
对于珍贵的动物，我们应该加以保护。
Duìyú zhēnguì de dòngwù, wǒmen yīnggāi jiāyǐ bǎohù.Precious animal species should be protected.
Common mistakes
✗ 进行学 → ✓ 进行学习 (disyllabic verb).
✗ 进行调查这个问题 → ✓ 对这个问题进行调查 (object moved forward with 对).
✗ 进行 for everyday actions: ✗ 我们进行吃饭吧!