Rise vs Raise

The verb to rise /raiz/ is an irregular verb (rise – rose – risen) and it means to go up or upwards, increase (in number, amount etc). This is an intransitive verb and it doesn't have an object, e.g.
The Sun rose.
Her hopes rose higher than ever.
The unemployment rate has risen dramatically.

The verb to raise /reiz/ is a regular verb (raise – raised – raised) and it means to move or lift to a higher position, increase an amount, number etc. This is a transitive verb so it needs an object, e.g.
The government has raised VAT.
She knew the answer so she raised her hand.

TEST YOURSELF
Please use the correct verb (rise or raise) in the correct form:

1. Sales ….. by 20% over the Christmas period.
2. Drinking too much coffee can ….. blood pressure.
3. The research budget ….. from £175,000 in 1999 to £22.5 million in 2001.
4. Temperatures rarely ….. above freezing.
5. The university is working to ….. the number of students from state schools.
6. The number of people seeking asylum in Britain has ….. sharply.
7. The divorce rate has ….. steadily since the 1950s.
8. Many shops have ….. their prices.
9. The floodwaters began to ….. again.
10. ….. your hand if you know the right answer.
11. William ….. his hat and smiled at her.
12. Smoke ….. from the chimney.
13. The road ….. steeply from the village.
14. Can you ….. the torch so I can see?