Raise & Rise: Difference (English Grammar)

How to Use the Verbs 'Raise' and 'Rise' Correctly

1) raise / raised / raised

Definition: to move something to a higher position

Example: I raised my hand.

Raise is a transitive verb. This means the verb can take an object; e.g. you can raise something. You can raise your hand. You can raise a flag. Transitive verbs (verbs that take a direct object) are quite common. They include eat (what is the object you eat? = sandwich), see (see what? = a movie), read (read what? = a book), etc. You eat a sandwich; you see a movie; you read a book, and you raise your hand.


2) rise / rose / risen

Definition: to move from a lower position to a higher position

Example: Hot air rises.

Rise is an intransitive verb. This means the verb CANNOT take an object; you cannot rise something. The sun rises. Prices rise. A balloon rises in the air. We use this verb when we talk about something that happened. The meaning is complete without an object. There are many examples of intransitive verbs, e.g. The man died. The airplane arrived. Intransitive verbs, such as rise, die, arrive, cannot take an object. You cannot die something, you cannot arrive something, and you cannot rise something.

That is the difference between the verbs to raise and to rise.

Raise & Rise: Exercises

Do you think you understand? Let's see! Take the raise and rise quiz below.

1. The rocket  in the sky.

2. The cowboy  his gun and then fired it.

3. The shop manager  the prices in the shop.

4. The value of the U.S. dollar .

Show Answers

1. The rocket rose in the sky.
2. The cowboy raised his gun and then fired it.
3. The shop manager raised the prices in the shop.
4. The value of the U.S. dollar is rising.

Note: the verb arise has a different meaning from rise and raise. To arise means to happen; to occur; e.g. I hope a problem does not arise.

I hope this was helpful. Knowing the difference between transitive verbs (e.g. raise) and intransitive verbs (e.g. rise) can really help you understand the differences among English verbs.

Keep studying and practicing. If you have a question, please leave a comment below.

- Matthew Barton of Englishcurrent.com

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7 comments on “Raise & Rise: Difference (English Grammar)

  1. Andre Luis (Posted on 1-22-2014 at 14:14) Reply

    Matthew, it was very good your presentation therefore in my opinion it lacked an introduction about the meaning of the verbs to raise and to rise. What does mean raise/risen? Many people who read this artcicle don’t speak english. So the meaning about any issue is crucial for the understanding for whom is not native.

    1. mb Post author (Posted on 1-22-2014 at 21:09) Reply

      Thank you for your feedback. I added two short simple definitions. Good luck in your studies!

  2. majed (Posted on 6-8-2016 at 04:20) Reply

    thank you it is very clear now

  3. Kanchan sahu (Posted on 11-9-2016 at 12:06) Reply

    Thank u for this it is beneficial

  4. Nozi (Posted on 6-16-2020 at 06:46) Reply

    Thanks this was usuful for me

  5. Odilie (Posted on 6-10-2021 at 07:41) Reply

    Waouh excellent clarification ! Thanks

  6. Ich (Posted on 3-15-2023 at 12:48) Reply

    Good explanation. this helps a lot!

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