rais
HighNeutral
Definition
Meaning
To lift something to a higher position; to increase the amount, level, or strength of something.
To bring up or rear children; to collect or gather money or resources; to cause something to appear or exist; to end or suspend (as in a siege or embargo).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A transitive verb requiring a direct object (raise something). Often confused with the intransitive verb 'rise'. Its meaning spectrum covers physical elevation, numerical increase, and cultivation/nurturing (e.g., raise a child, raise crops).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The noun for a pay increase is 'rise' in UK English but 'raise' in US English.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'raise children' is standard. 'Raise' in the context of livestock/farming is more common in American English, but understood in British English.
Frequency
The verb is equally high-frequency. The noun form 'raise' (salary increase) is almost exclusively American.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SVOO (He raised me the funds.)SVO (She raised her hand.)SVOA (They raised the flag slowly.)SVO (to) INF (This raises the question to be answered.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “raise the bar”
- “raise Cain”
- “raise eyebrows”
- “raise the stakes”
- “raise a white flag”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for increasing capital, prices, salaries, or issues in meetings. (e.g., 'The board will raise the dividend.')
Academic
Used to introduce a point, question, or theoretical concern. (e.g., 'The study raises important methodological issues.')
Everyday
Common for physical actions (hand, window) and family (children). (e.g., 'Can you raise the blind?')
Technical
In computing: to raise an exception/error. In agriculture: to raise livestock/crops.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We need to raise funds for the new library.
- He raised a valid point during the debate.
- They were raised in the Scottish Highlands.
American English
- I'm going to ask my boss for a raise.
- The community raised the money in just two weeks.
- He raised cattle on his ranch in Texas.
adverb
British English
- (N/A - 'raise' is not an adverb)
American English
- (N/A - 'raise' is not an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (N/A - 'raise' is not a standard adjective)
American English
- (N/A - 'raise' is not a standard adjective)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please raise your hand if you know the answer.
- They want to raise money for charity.
- The teacher raised her voice.
- The government plans to raise the retirement age.
- This incident raises serious safety concerns.
- It's challenging to raise a family in a big city.
- The new evidence could raise doubts about the verdict.
- The company succeeded in raising its profile through social media.
- He was raised to respect different cultures.
- The philosopher's work raises profound epistemological questions.
- The activist aimed to raise public consciousness about the issue.
- The venture capitalists were reluctant to raise further capital in the current market.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RAY of sunshine lifting (RAISE) your spirits. You RAISE something you can touch (hand, child, funds).
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS HEIGHT (raise an issue), MORE IS UP (raise prices), NURTURING IS CULTIVATING (raise a family).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not use 'grow' for children (Russian 'rastit''). Use 'raise' or 'bring up'.
- Distinguish from 'rise' (подниматься самому). Remember: you RAISE something else, something RISEs by itself.
- The noun 'raise' (US salary increase) is not 'рост', but 'надбавка' or 'повышение зарплаты'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'The sun raises at 6 am.' Correct: 'The sun RISES at 6 am.'
- Incorrect: 'He was raised in London.' (Correct, but a Russian speaker might incorrectly use 'grown up' as a verb.)
- Incorrect: 'I got a rise.' (UK: correct for pay. US: ambiguous, could mean promotion or literal ascent. US prefers 'I got a raise.')
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'raise' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Raise' is a transitive verb (needs an object: you raise something). 'Rise' is intransitive (no object: something rises by itself).
Yes, 'raise children' or 'bring up children' are standard in both. 'Rear' is also possible but less common in everyday US English.
It's an idiom meaning to increase the level of risk, reward, or investment in a situation.
Yes, but primarily in American English, where it means an increase in salary. In British English, the equivalent noun is 'rise'.