Irregular verbs (Difference between Raise vs Rise , Lay vs Lie)

Raise vs. Rise

Both words can mean "to move upwards", but they are not interchangeable. "Rise" is an intransitive verb and "raise" is a transitive verb.

Intransitive verbs, like rise, do not require an object. "Rise" does not require an object to do the motion. E.g., the sun rises every morning; she rose from her nap around 2 o'clock. The sun is rising on its own as did the napping girl.

Transitive verbs, like raise, require an object. "Raise" requires an object to cause the motion. E.g., she raised her hand to answer the question; She raised the girl up onto his shoulders. The girl moved her own arm to answer the question and physically lifted the child onto his shoulders.

• Raise is a regular verb: raise, raised, raised

• Rise is an irregular verb: rise,rose, risen

Common Uses of Raise

1. To elevate: She raised the bar in the competition.
2. To lift something: Please raise your hand.
3. To set upright by building: They raised the statue in her honor.
4. To bring to maturity: She raised him all by herself.
5. To increase: He raised his bet by five dollars.

Raise/Rise and Lay/Lie

There are similarities between "raise/rise" and "lay/lie".

"Raise" and "lay" both require an outside object to do the action. You raise something else up and lay something else down.

"Rise" and "lie" are done to oneself. You rise yourself (or the subject of the sentence) up and lie yourself (or the subject of the sentence) down.

Both of these examples require an object to do the motion.

• She raised up her arms in disgust.
• She laid the pillow on top of the bed.

Both of these examples do not have an object causing the motion

• They will rise up against their oppressors.
• All she wanted was to lie down on the sofa for 15 minutes.

(Needs an object)
  Raise                              Raised                         Raised
  Lay                                 Laid                             Laid
(Does it by itself)
  Rise                                Rose                           Risen
  Lie                                  Lay                              Lain