Raise vs Rise: Which One Do You Need?
You raise something else. Things rise by themselves.
Raise your hand. The sun rises.
The test that settles it
Ask what is being lifted. If there is an object after the verb, use raise. If not, use rise.
“prices ___ sharply” → no object, so rose.
“they ___ prices” → an object, so raised.
Raise: to lift something
A transitive verb — it always needs an object. Regular: raise, raised, raised. It also means to bring up a child or a subject.
She raised the lid.
They raised three children.
He raised an objection.
Is there a thing being lifted? Then raise.
Rise: to go up
An intransitive verb — it never takes an object. Irregular: rise, rose, risen.
Temperatures rose overnight.
The dough has risen.
He rose to speak.
Is the subject going up on its own? Then rise.
Side by side
| Raise | Rise |
|---|---|
| To lift something | To go up |
| Needs an object | Never takes an object |
| raise, raised, raised | rise, rose, risen |
| Raise the flag | The flag rises |
The exceptions
British English says a pay rise; American English says a raise. Both are correct in their own varieties.
Arise is used for situations rather than objects: a problem arose. Using it for physical movement sounds archaic.
Where people get it wrong
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The sun raises at six. | The sun rises at six. | No object. |
| Please rise your hand. | Please raise your hand. | There is an object. |
| Prices have raised again. | Prices have risen again. | They went up by themselves. |
| He rised from his chair. | He rose from his chair. | Irregular past. |
Practice — choose the right word, then check yourself.
- The river ___ two feet overnight.
- They ___ the roof by a metre.
- Costs have ___ steadily.
- She ___ her voice.
- Smoke ___ from the chimney.
Show the answers
1. rose 2. raised 3. risen 4. raised 5. rose
Frequently asked
Any trick for remembering which is which?
Raise has an a, and it takes an object. Rise does not.
What about lay and lie?
The same pattern — lay takes an object, lie does not. If you have learned one pair, the other follows.
More words people confuse
