What's the difference between raise and rise?

To raise and to rise can both mean to go up, but there is a difference. Look at these examples, then choose raise or rise to complete the rules.

The government raised taxes.

The sun rises in the east.

We use  when there is no object after the verb, when something goes up naturally. It can also mean to get up in the morning.

We use  with an object, to say that someone makes something go up. It can also mean to help children grow up, or to mention something in a discussion.

Raise is a regular verb (raise, raised, raised). Rise is irregular (rise, rose, risen). Be careful with passive sentences: the verb rise isn't usually used to make passives (because it doesn't take an object).

Practice

Choose the best word to complete these sentences.

  1. House prices have  again this month.
  2. He  his eyebrow in surprise.
  3. It isn't easy to  children.
  4. The number of deaths from swine flu  slowly.
  5. If it rains a lot, the water levels .
  6. He  the question of holiday pay in the meeting.
  7. The shop has  its prices three times this year.
  8.  late on Sunday morning.
  9. The hot air balloon  up into the sky.
  10. "Everyone, please  your champagne glasses, and join me in congratulating John and Sue on their engagement!"