The key to understanding these words is knowing that rise happens by itself, while raise needs someone or something to do the action. Let's explore this in detail.
Basic Verb Forms
First, let's see how these verbs change in different tenses:
| Basic Form | Past Simple | Past Participle | Present Participle |
|---|---|---|---|
| rise | rose | risen | rising |
| raise | raised | raised | raising |
Key Difference Explained
Think of it this way:
- RISE = something moves up by itself (no object needed)
- RAISE = someone/something moves something else up (needs an object)
Understanding RISE
"Rise" is what we call an intransitive verb - it doesn't need an object. Things rise by themselves:
Common Uses of RISE:
- The sun rises every morning
- Prices rise during inflation
- Hot air rises
- She rises early every day
- The bread dough rises in warm temperature
Notice how in each case, nothing is making these things rise - they rise by themselves.
Understanding RAISE
"Raise" is a transitive verb - it needs an object. Someone or something must do the raising:
Common Uses of RAISE:
- Parents raise children
- Companies raise prices
- Teachers raise their hands
- Farmers raise crops
- We raise questions
Notice how in each example, something or someone is actively doing the raising.
Comparison in Different Contexts
Let's see how these words work in various situations:
| Context | RISE (by itself) | RAISE (needs someone/something) |
|---|---|---|
| Money | Prices rise | The store raises prices |
| Growth | Plants rise from seeds | Farmers raise plants |
| Movement | The balloon rises | The child raises the balloon |
| Sound | Her voice rises | She raises her voice |
| Height | The building rises | Workers raise the building |
Common Phrases and Expressions
Understanding common expressions can help you remember the difference:
With RISE:
- Rise and shine
- Rise to the occasion
- Rise to power
- Rise from the ashes
- Rise through the ranks
With RAISE:
- Raise awareness
- Raise a family
- Raise money
- Raise the roof
- Raise an issue
Special Focus: Rise vs. Raise with Money
This is a common area of confusion. Here's how to keep it straight:
RISE (happens by itself):
- Prices rise
- Interest rates rise
- The cost of living rises
- Stock values rise
- Temperature rises
RAISE (someone does it):
- Banks raise interest rates
- Companies raise prices
- The committee raises fees
- Employers raise salaries
- We raise funds
Practice Exercise
Fill in the blank with the correct form of "rise" or "raise":
- The sun _____ in the east. (happens naturally)
- Parents _____ their children. (active parenting)
- Hot air _____ above cold air. (natural movement)
- She _____ her hand to ask a question. (deliberate action)
- The bread has _____ nicely. (happens by itself)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Incorrect: "Companies rise the prices."
✅ Correct: "Companies raise the prices."
(Because companies actively change prices)
❌ Incorrect: "The balloon was raised by itself."
✅ Correct: "The balloon rose by itself."
(Because no one actively lifted it)
Quick Memory Tips
Remember these simple rules:
- If it happens by itself → RISE
- If someone does it to something → RAISE
Special Cases in Business English
In business contexts, be especially careful with these common phrases:
Correct Usage:
- Profits rise (happens by itself)
- Managers raise salaries (active decision)
- Stock prices rise (market movement)
- Companies raise capital (active fundraising)
Final Tips
Ask yourself:
- Is something moving up by itself? → Use RISE
- Is someone or something causing the movement? → Use RAISE
** Answers and Explanations:
- rises (natural action)
- raise (parents actively do this)
- rises (natural physics)
- raised (deliberate action by person)
- risen (natural process)
