What is raise? Pronunciation and usage in English

raise means . Learn how to pronounce and use raise through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of raise

raiseverb

/reɪz/
Definition & pronunciation of raise

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "raise" in English. There are two common pronunciations, and it can be tricky to get it right!

1. The Most Common (and Generally Preferred) Pronunciation:

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /reɪz/

  • How it sounds: It’s a diphthong – meaning it's a glide from one vowel sound to another.

    • "re" is pronounced like the "re" in "red."
    • "–" (the dash) represents the glide. You start with the "re" sound and smoothly transition to the "iz" sound.
    • "iz" is pronounced like the "is" in "is."

  • Breakdown: Think of it as saying "rayz" quickly, with the "ray" and "z" blending together.

2. The Older, More Traditional Pronunciation (Less Common Now):

  • IPA: /rɑːɪz/
  • How it sounds: This is closer to the "rh" sound in "rare".
    • "rɑː" - "r" is just the rough "r" sound. “ɑː” is a long "a" sound, like in "father."

Which one should you use?

The /reɪz/ pronunciation is overwhelmingly the most common and accepted pronunciation today, especially in American English. You'll hear it in almost all contexts. The /rɑːɪz/ pronunciation is still understood, particularly in older generations or in some regional dialects (like British English), but it’s best to stick with /reɪz/ to avoid confusion.

Tips for Practicing:

  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. Search on YouTube for "how to pronounce raise" and listen to native speakers.
  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying the word and compare it to a native speaker’s pronunciation.
  • Focus on the glide: The key to /reɪz/ is that smooth transition between the "re" and "iz" sounds.

Resources:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Focus on a particular aspect of the pronunciation (like the glide)?

Usage and examples with the word raise in English

Let's break down how to use the word "raise" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a detailed look, categorized for clarity:

1. To Lift or Increase (Physical Action)

  • Most Basic Meaning: To lift something upwards.
    • Example: “He raised the heavy box.”
    • Example: “The child raised his arms in excitement.”

2. To Increase (Quantity, Price, etc.)

  • Money/Prices: To increase the amount of something, often money.

    • Example: “The company will raise prices next quarter.”
    • Example: “The landlord raised the rent.”
    • Example: “We need to raise enough money for the project.” (meaning to collect funds)

  • Standards/Expectations: To increase the level of something.

    • Example: “She raised the bar for the team’s performance.”
    • Example: "The school raised its academic standards."

3. To Bring Up (Discuss or Mention)

  • To Introduce a Topic: To bring a subject to attention.

    • Example: “He raised the issue of safety concerns at the meeting.”
    • Example: “I'd like to raise a point about the budget.”

  • To Speak Up: To say something, often in a meeting or discussion.

    • Example: “Don’t be afraid to raise your hand if you have a question.”

4. To Cause Something to Grow or Develop

  • Plants: To physically elevate plants for better light or air circulation.

    • Example: “The gardener raised the seedlings to help them grow stronger.”

  • Metaphorically (figurative): To bring something into existence or to develop an idea. (Less common than the other definitions but does occur.)

    • Example: “He raised a successful business from nothing.” (meaning he created it)

5. As a Verb in Phrases (Common Uses)

  • Raise Money: To collect donations or funds. (e.g., "We’re raising money for charity.")
  • Raise a Child: To bring up and care for a child. (e.g., "It takes a lot of time to raise a child.")
  • Raise a Point: To bring up an issue or suggestion. (e.g., "I’d like to raise a point about the timing.")
  • Raise an Objection: To express a disagreement or concern. (e.g., “He raised an objection to the proposal.”)
  • Raise Awareness: To make people more conscious of a problem or issue. (e.g., "The campaign raised awareness of the homeless situation.")
  • Raise Your Hand: To physically lift your hand to signal something.

6. As a Noun (Less Common)

  • A Rising: A general upward movement or trend.
    • Example: “There’s a real raise in property values in that area.”
  • A Raising (of a child): The act of bringing up a child.

Key Differences & How to Tell Which Meaning is Intended:

  • Context is crucial. The surrounding words and the overall situation will usually make the meaning clear.
  • Physical Action: “Raise” directly describes lifting something.
  • Increase: Words like “price,” “amount,” “level,” or “funds” often indicate the "increase" meaning.
  • Discussion: "Raise" usually indicates bringing up a topic for consideration.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me tailor the explanation even more to your needs, could you tell me:

  • Are you struggling with a specific sentence where you’re unsure how to use “raise”?
  • Is there a particular context you’re interested in (e.g., business, everyday conversation, writing)?

Synonyms for the word raise

Idioms of the word raise

make somebody’s hackles rise | raise somebody’s hackles
to make somebody angry
  • Her controversial article is bound to raise hackles.
not lift/raise a finger/hand (to do something)
(informal)to do nothing to help somebody
  • The children never lift a finger to help around the house.
not raise/lift a finger/hand (to do something)
(informal)to do nothing to help somebody
  • The children never raised a finger to help around the house.
raise/up the ante
to increase the level of something, especially your demands or the risks in a situation
  • This year tournament organizers have upped the ante by offering record prize money for the top two teams.
raise the bar
to set a new, higher standard of quality or performance
  • The factory has raised the bar on productivity, food safety and quality.
  • This latest computer game raises the bar for interface design.
  • The awards go to people who have truly raised the bar.
  • Perhaps the new admission requirements raised the bar too high.
raise your eyebrows (at something)
to show that you think something is bad or are surprised by something
  • Eyebrows were raised when he arrived without his wife.
raise your glass (to somebody)
to hold up your glass and wish somebody happiness, good luck, etc. before you drink
    raise a/your hand against/to somebody
    to hit or threaten to hit somebody
      raise hell
      (informal)to protest angrily, especially in a way that causes trouble for somebody
        raise the roof
        to produce or make somebody produce a lot of noise in a building, for example by shouting or cheering
        • Their cheers raised the roof.
        raise/lower your sights
        to expect more/less from a situation
        • If they can’t afford such a big house, they’ll just have to lower their sights a little.
        • After failing to get into university, he lowered his sights and got a job in a shop.
        raise somebody’s spirits
        to make somebody feel more cheerful or brave
        • The sunny weather raised my spirits a little.
        raise/lower the temperature
        to increase/decrease the amount of excitement, emotion, etc. in a situation
        • His angry refusal to agree raised the temperature of the meeting.
        • The government tried to lower the political temperature by agreeing to some of the demands.

        Practice with vocabulary raise

        Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

        1. The university aims to _______ sufficient funds to build a new research facility.
        2. Many professionals strive to constantly _______ their skills to remain competitive in the job market.
        3. It's crucial to _______ public awareness about sustainable energy sources.
        4. After the presentation, the audience members began to _______ various questions.

        Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

        1. Which of the following can typically be _______ by a company or individual? a) a salary b) an objection c) a child d) a question e) all of the above

        2. The cost of living continues to _______ steadily, impacting household budgets significantly. a) raise b) increase c) ascend d) rise

        3. During the negotiation, the union representative decided to _______ several critical points about working conditions. a) elevate b) bring up c) put forth d) promote

        4. The charitable foundation is working hard to _______ funds for cancer research. a) gather b) collect c) accumulate d) raise

        5. The CEO outlined a strategic plan to _______ the company's global market presence over the next five years. a) boost b) expand c) grow d) intensify

        Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

        1. Original: The board decided to increase the annual dividend for shareholders. Rewrite (using "raise"): The board decided to _______ the annual dividend for shareholders.

        2. Original: It is important to make people more aware of the risks of climate change. Rewrite (using "raise"): Efforts are being made to _______ awareness about the risks of climate change.

        3. Original: After the initial setbacks, the team's morale significantly improved. Rewrite (not using "raise"): After the initial setbacks, the team's morale significantly _______.

        Answer:

        Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

        1. raise
        2. improve (or enhance)
        3. raise
        4. ask (or pose)

        Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

        1. e) all of the above
        2. b) increase, d) rise
        3. b) bring up, c) put forth
        4. a) gather, b) collect, d) raise
        5. a) boost, b) expand, c) grow

        Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

        1. The board decided to raise the annual dividend for shareholders.
        2. Efforts are being made to raise awareness about the risks of climate change.
        3. After the initial setbacks, the team's morale significantly lifted.

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