Rise vs Raise: What’s the Difference?

Let’s learn the difference between rise vs raise.

Rise vs Raise – Summarizing the Difference

If we are to make a list of English words that are often confused, raise and rise are sure to show up. Let today be the last day you confuse them. 

Raise is a transitive verb, which means it requires an object. In “Manny raised the flag,” the flag is the object of the verb raised; it answers the question, what was raised? The flag. On the other hand, rise is an intransitive verb that doesn’t require an object, just like in “Manny and the other students rise.” Aside from their verb forms, raise and rise are also used as nouns. Let’s dig deeper into their differences here.

Raise vs Rise

Related Reading: Verb Tenses: When an Action Occurs

Raise as a Verb

Because raise is a transitive verb, it requires an object. Generally, to raise means to increase, to lift, or to move something or someone upward. The past tense and past participle of raise are raised and (has) raised, respectively. Here are some sentences using raise as a verb with its objects italicized:

  • The group raised their glasses to celebrate Pam’s birthday. [raised what? their glasses]
  • Lily had raised the fragile displays before the kids arrived. [had raised what? fragile displays]
  • His use of animals for product testing raises serious ethical issues. [raise here is synonymous to escalate; its object is serious ethical issues]
  • Who told you to raise the stakes? [raise what? the stakes]
  • Chesca and Pat raise their concerns about the charity project. [raise what? their concerns]

Raise as a Noun

The noun raise means an increase in amount; an act of raising or moving upward. Here are examples of sentences using raise as a noun:

  • Her promotion comes with a big raise!
  • The church saw a raise in spirits despite these trying times.
  • A meager ten-dollar raise is not enough to feed his family.

Rise as a Verb

As discussed, rise is an intransitive verb that does not require an object. To rise often means to assume an upright position or to move upward. Also, note that rise is an irregular verb – its spelling changes to form its past tense and past participle. The past tense and past participle of rise are rose and (has) risen, respectively. Here are example sentences using rise as a verb:

  • The encryption reads, “From the ashes we will rise.” 
  • Some countries have risen above the pandemic because of their competent leaders.
  • The rapidly rising Covid-19 cases frighten the global community.
  • After three days, Jesus rose from the dead. 

In the last example above, rose is the past tense of rise and it doesn’t have an object. However, in the sentence, “The miracle doctor raised Nina from the dead,” the transitive verb raised refers to the object Nina. Hence, raised is the correct word to use. 

Rise as a Noun

The noun rise generally means an upward movement or an increase in amount. Here are some sentences using rise as a noun:

  • The masses suffer because of the rise in oil prices. 
  • Critics claim that the government’s drug war only led to a rise in extra-judicial killings.
  • Her dramatic rise to the top inspires her colleagues to do better. 

Rise vs Raise – Exercise:

Fill in each blank with the correct form of the two words in parentheses. If the correct verb is a form of raise, italicize its object. 

  1. The teacher ______ (raises, rises) her voice to be heard by the students in the back. 
  2. She ______ (had raised, had risen) the same question before he thought of it. 
  3. Who ______ (raises, rises) at 4am to read books? 
  4. As a reporter, he is expected to ______ (rose, raise, rise) controversial questions and ______ (rose, raise, rise) above politics.
  5. Has the moon ______ (rose, risen, raised) when Ben finally ______ (rose, risen, raised)? 

Rise vs Raise – Answers: 

  1. The teacher raises her voice to be heard by the students in the back. 
  2. She had raised the same question before he thought of it. 
  3. Who rises at 4am to read books? 
  4. As a reporter, he is expected to raise controversial questions and rise above politics.
  5. Has the moon risen when Ben finally rose

Thank you for reading. We hope it’s effective! Always feel free to revisit this page if you ever have any questions about the difference between rise vs raise.

Check out some of our other blog posts or invest in your future with one of our self-study courses!

If you enjoyed learning about the difference between rise vs raise, you may be interested in our English Language Composition 2021 AP Exam Study Guide.
Click here for the English Language 2021 AP Exam Study Guide!
If you enjoyed learning about the difference between rise vs raise, you may be interested in our English Literature & Composition 2021 AP Exam Study Guide.
Click here for the English Literature & Composition 2021 AP Exam Study Guide!