raise

When increasing the height or amount of something, you can use the word "raise." We also use this word when describing the growth of plants, animals, and human beings.

The sentences below show how "raise" is used as a verb:

• Farmers who raise animals need to feed and take care of them.
• The price of gasoline is raised when the supply goes down.  (This sentence is in the passive voice.)
• Renee is raising five children.
• Children at schools raise money through bake sales.
• Our teacher raised her voice when she got mad at a couple of students.
• John raised his bet at the poker table when he realized he had a good hand.*
• Raising corn is very difficult when there’s a drought. (This sentence uses the word "raise" as a gerund.)

A student raises his hand when he wants to ask the teacher a question.

When the word "raise" is used as a noun, it describes an increase in salary or wages:

• All of the workers at the factory received a raise because they met their production goals.
• Tina asked her boss for a raise because she doesn’t think she gets paid enough for the work that she does.
• It’s hard to get a raise when there’s a recession.

* a good hand: good cards

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This page was first published on December 23, 2012. It was updated on September 30, 2015.