raising
HighNeutral; used in both formal and informal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The act of lifting or elevating something to a higher position.
Can also refer to increasing an amount, bringing up children or issues, nurturing growth, or improving standards.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used both literally (physical lifting) and figuratively (increasing awareness, standards, or emotions). Note that it is the present participle or gerund of the verb 'raise'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling differences; however, in some contexts, British English may prefer 'lift' for physical actions, but 'raise' is standard. American English uses 'raise' consistently across contexts.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties, with connotations of improvement, growth, or effort.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
raise + object (e.g., raise a flag)raise + object + to + infinitive (e.g., raise an issue to discuss)raise + object + from + place (e.g., raise it from the ground)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “raising the bar”
- “raising Cain”
- “raising the roof”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Raising capital for startup investments.
Academic
Raising a hypothesis in scientific research.
Everyday
Raising a family in a suburban neighborhood.
Technical
In linguistics, raising refers to a syntactic movement where a noun phrase moves to a higher clause.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She is raising her hand to ask a question.
- They are raising funds for the local charity.
American English
- He's raising the issue during the board meeting.
- We're raising our kids to be independent.
adjective
British English
- This baking powder acts as a raising agent.
- The raising of the drawbridge delays traffic.
American English
- Use a leavening agent for raising the dough.
- The raising sun warmed the morning air.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The sun is raising the temperature outside.
- She is raising her hand in class.
- They are raising money for a new community center.
- He is raising his voice to be heard.
- The company is raising prices due to increased costs.
- Raising children requires patience and love.
- Raising awareness about environmental issues is crucial for policy change.
- The study focuses on raising educational standards in underserved areas.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine raising your hand in class; it helps recall that raising involves an upward motion or action.
Conceptual Metaphor
Raising is often metaphorically associated with growth, improvement, or elevation, as in raising hopes or raising standards.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Confusing 'raising' (транзитивный глагол) with 'rising' (интранзитивный глагол), e.g., 'raise' vs 'rise'.
- Mistranslating as 'рост' which implies natural growth rather than the act of causing to grow.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'rise' instead of 'raise' (e.g., incorrect: 'He rises the flag'; correct: 'He raises the flag').
- Incorrect preposition use, such as 'raising on' instead of 'raising from' or 'raising to'.
Practice
Quiz
What is a common meaning of 'raising' in everyday context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'raising' is transitive and requires an object (e.g., raise a flag), while 'rising' is intransitive and does not take an object (e.g., the sun rises).
Yes, as a gerund, 'raising' functions as a noun, e.g., 'The raising of taxes was controversial.'
Common collocations include 'raising children', 'raising funds', 'raising awareness', and 'raising standards'.
Ensure you use 'raise' for transitive actions and 'rise' for intransitive ones, and pay attention to prepositions like 'from' or 'to' in patterns.
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