动词 + 之 + 以 + 名词（晓之以理）
to V someone with something (the 以 phrase placed after the verb)
Structure
动词 之 以 名词 ／ 动词 以 名词
What it means
Classical order with the 以 phrase (with, by means of) after the verb: 'to V someone with something'. 之 is the object pronoun (him, her, it).
How it is built
Verb + 之 + 以 + noun, or verb + 以 + noun: 晓之以理，动之以情 (persuade with reason, move with feeling); 观众报以热烈的掌声 (the audience responded with warm applause).
When to use it
Lives on in set phrases of formal writing: 持之以恒, 绳之以法, 嗤之以鼻. Modern Chinese puts 以 before the verb (以礼相待). 投桃报李 comes from 投我以桃，报之以李.
Watch out
Use the set phrases; do not build new ones from everyday verbs. ✗ 给之以钱 ✓ 给他钱.
Examples
投我以木桃，报之以琼瑶。
You threw me a quince; I gave you fine jade in return. (《卫风·木瓜》)
孩子犯了错，父母要晓之以理，动之以情。
When a child does wrong, parents should reason with him and appeal to his feelings.
演出结束，全场观众报以热烈的掌声。
When the performance ended, the whole audience responded with warm applause.
Learn this in Lesson 230 · HSK 9+: 诗经：最早的歌 (The Book of Songs)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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