Rise is usually intransitive, meaning something goes up by itself or changes to a higher level without taking a direct object. Raise is usually transitive, meaning someone causes something else to go up and it takes a direct object. This core pattern explains most correct choices in everyday English.

Rule	Example
Rise has no direct object	Prices rise in summer.
Raise takes a direct object	They raised prices in summer.
Rise focuses on change happening	The sun rises early.
Raise focuses on someone causing change	She raises the blinds.

Rise means to move upward, to increase, or to appear. It also refers to getting up from a lower position, like rising from bed or rising from a chair. In abstract uses, it often describes levels, amounts, or states becoming higher.

Raise means to lift something, increase something, or bring something into existence through action. It can mean to collect or obtain something, like money, and it can mean to care for and educate children or animals. It often implies intention, effort, or responsibility by a person or group.

With rise, the subject is the thing that moves or increases: the temperature, the sun, your voice, numbers, or people. With raise, the subject is the doer and the object is what changes: raise your hand, raise the price, raise a question. If you can ask what did they raise, you need raise plus an object.

Rule	Example
Rise: subject equals the thing changing	His voice rose suddenly.
Raise: subject changes an object	He raised his voice suddenly.
If you can name the object, use raise	Please raise your hand.
If no object fits, use rise	Please rise.

Rise commonly pairs with nouns like sun, temperature, prices, levels, smoke, and tide, emphasizing natural or uncontrolled change. Raise commonly pairs with hand, salary, price, children, funds, standards, and awareness, emphasizing deliberate action. Learning these pairings helps you choose quickly without overthinking.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
Rise	move upward or increase	The temperature rose overnight.
Raise	lift or increase something	They raised the temperature on the thermostat.
Rise	appear or come into view	Mountains rose in the distance.
Raise	collect or obtain	We raised money for the trip.
Raise	care for children or animals	She raised three kids.

Rise is used in formal or polite instructions to a group when the action has no object, especially in ceremonies. Raise is used when the command is to lift something specific. The difference is visible in courtroom or meeting language.

Rule	Example
Rise for a person or event	Please rise for the judge.
Raise for a specific thing to lift	Please raise your right hand.
Rise can mean stand up	We all rose when she entered.

Rise often describes something becoming higher without highlighting who caused it, like tensions, costs, or confidence. Raise highlights agency, like raising standards, raising awareness, or raising doubts. When you want to emphasize responsibility, choose raise.

Rule	Example
Rise for increases that just happen	Anxiety can rise before a test.
Raise to emphasize someone’s action	The campaign raised awareness.
Raise can mean mention or introduce	She raised an important point.

Rise has an irregular past tense and past participle, while raise is regular. This affects correct writing in perfect tenses and passive voice. Memorizing risen is especially important.

Subject	Form	Example
I	rise, rose, risen	I have risen early all week.
You	rise, rose, risen	You have risen quickly.
He	rises, rose, risen	He has risen to the challenge.
She	rises, rose, risen	She has risen in rank.
It	rises, rose, risen	It has risen a lot.
We	rise, rose, risen	We have risen together.
They	rise, rose, risen	They have risen from their seats.

Raise is regular in the past and past participle, and it commonly appears in passive voice when the focus is on what was increased or lifted. Because raise takes an object, passive sentences are often natural with it. Keep the object clear to avoid confusion.

Subject	Form	Example
I	raise, raised, raised	I raised my hand.
You	raise, raised, raised	You have raised the issue.
He	raises, raised, raised	He raised the price yesterday.
She	raises, raised, raised	She has raised three dogs.
It	raises, raised, raised	It raised concerns.
We	raise, raised, raised	We raised enough money.
They	raise, raised, raised	They were raised by their grandparents.

Choose rise when the subject itself goes up or increases and no direct object is needed. Choose raise when someone causes an increase or lift and you can name what is affected. If you can naturally say raise something, you usually need raise; if you can only say something rises, you need rise.

Rule	Example
No object, change happens	The water level rose.
Object present, someone causes change	Engineers raised the water level.
Stand up meaning uses rise	Everyone rose to applaud.
Lift something uses raise	Everyone raised their glasses.