Raise vs. Rise
“Raise” and “rise” both describe upward movement or increase, but their grammar differs. “Raise” is normally transitive and takes an object; “rise” is intransitive and describes the subject moving or increasing on its own.
Use “raise” with an object: “They raised the price.” Use “rise” without a direct object: “The price rose.” Remember the irregular forms “rise, rose, risen.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| If you mean / need | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| to lift or increase something | raise | The verb normally takes a direct object. |
| for something itself to move or increase | rise | The verb does not take a direct object. |
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “raise” when someone or something causes an object, amount, or level to move higher. Use “rise” when the subject itself moves or increases.
Fast Test
Ask whether the verb directly acts on something. “They raised prices” has an object; “prices rose” does not.
Grammar Boundary
Cambridge distinguishes the verbs by transitivity: “raise” takes an object; “rise” does not.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Raise or rise? — English Grammar Today (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Transitivity, meanings, and verb forms for raise and rise