raise
B1 (High Frequency)Neutral - Common in all registers from formal to informal.
Definition
Meaning
To lift or move something to a higher position or level; to cause to increase.
To bring up for consideration; to collect or gather; to rear (children/animals); to cause to appear or exist.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive verb requiring a direct object (raise + something). Often confused with the intransitive verb 'rise' (something rises).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Main difference: 'raise' is the standard term for increasing salary in AmE ('get a raise'). BrE uses 'rise' for salary ('get a rise'), though 'raise' is understood. In agriculture/livestock, both use 'raise' for animals, but BrE also uses 'rear'.
Connotations
In AmE, 'raise' strongly connotes upbringing (raise children) and salary increase. In BrE, 'rise' for salary can feel more natural, though 'raise' is gaining ground.
Frequency
Higher frequency in AmE due to salary usage. Slightly less frequent in BrE in financial contexts, but extremely common in all other shared senses.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] raise [NP][NP] raise [NP] to [NP][NP] raise [NP] from [NP][NP] raise [NP] by [amount]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “raise the bar”
- “raise eyebrows”
- “raise Cain/hell/the roof”
- “raise one's game”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To increase capital, prices, or salaries. ('The board voted to raise the dividend.')
Academic
To introduce a point, question, or hypothesis for discussion. ('The study raises important ethical concerns.')
Everyday
To lift objects, bring up children, or increase volume/heat. ('Can you raise the blinds?' 'They raised three sons.')
Technical
In computing: to generate an exception/interrupt. In poker: to increase a bet. In construction: to erect a structure.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We need to raise funds for the new community centre.
- He raised a valid point during the meeting.
- They were raised in the Scottish Highlands.
American English
- I'm going to ask my boss for a raise next week.
- The charity aims to raise awareness about the disease.
- She raised the window to let in some fresh air.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please raise your hand if you know the answer.
- The sun will raise the temperature today.
- He helps to raise money for charity.
- The company decided to raise prices due to higher costs.
- They worked hard to raise their children bilingually.
- Can we raise this topic at the next team meeting?
- The new evidence could raise doubts about the verdict.
- The government's proposal has raised a storm of protest.
- He was born in London but raised in Canada.
- The interview raised more questions than it answered, leaving the public skeptical.
- Philanthropists raised the initial capital to launch the groundbreaking research institute.
- Her innovative work has raised the bar for everyone in the field.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RAISE in salary – it lifts your income UP. 'Raise' requires an object: you must raise SOMETHING.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS UP / MORE IS UP (raise standards, raise hopes). CREATING IS BUILDING (raise a building, raise a family).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'rise' (подниматься). Remember: you RAISE something (поднимать что-то), but something RISES (поднимается).
- In salary context, Russian 'повышение' maps to AmE 'raise' and BrE 'rise'.
- For 'воспитывать детей', AmE prefers 'raise', BrE accepts both 'raise' and 'bring up'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'rise' as a transitive verb (e.g., 'I will rise the flag' is incorrect; use 'raise').
- Misspelling as 'rise' or 'rase'.
- Using 'grow' for children in formal English (e.g., 'She raised three children' is standard; 'grew three children' is incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'raise' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Raise' is a transitive verb (needs an object: raise something). 'Rise' is intransitive (no object: something rises). Example: I RAISE the curtain. The sun RISES.
Yes, it is perfectly correct and common. While 'bring up' is also very frequent in BrE, 'raise' is not an Americanism in this context and is widely used.
Yes, primarily in American English meaning an increase in salary ('She got a 5% raise'). In British English, the noun for salary is typically 'rise', though 'raise' is understood.
Yes, frequently. E.g., 'Questions were raised about the policy.' 'The flag is raised at dawn.' It emphasizes the action performed on the subject.