得以【déyǐ】

得以 says that thanks to some condition, a result was able to come about. The condition comes first – often a 在…下 or 由于 phrase – and 得以 sits before the verb of the result. It is written: reports, news, history.

The subject is very often the thing that is dealt with – the problem, the plan, the building – and the sentence reads like an English passive. The verb after 得以 is usually two syllables: 解决, 实现, 完成, 保存, 进行.

Mistakes

得以 isn't a general "can". It doesn't state an ability, and it needs a condition that made the result possible.

• × 我得以游泳 → 我会游泳
• × 明天我得以去北京 → 明天我能去北京

不得以 is not its negative. "Couldn't happen" in this register is 未能 or 无法; 不得已 (with 已) means "having no choice".

• × 问题不得以解决 → 问题未能解决