rise/raise?

Rise and its gang

Here we have some verbs, rise and its gang, which are not only similar in form but also, to make matters worse, in meaning.

First have a look at the three following pairs, for in pairs they come, and then (below) a more expanded definition and examples of all of them.

The Pairs

1.      raise-rise: these two are often mistaken even by advanced students. They may share part of their meanings, but none of their syntax: My salary never rises (No object         intransitive verb) but They never raise my salary (Object          transitive verb).

2.      rise-arise: another nut hard to crack. Although these two may sound (and look) similar, rise refers to more physical things while arise refers to something that is not physical (problem) or did not exist till the moment of reference (mist).

3.     rouse-arouse: like rise-arise, these two differ just in an “a”, but that makes the difference. Again, like in the former pair, without the “a” the verb is usually used in reference to more physical things, whereas with the “a”, is used in reference to less physical things or things that come from the “inside” of a person as in “fully aroused”, meaning sexually excited.

The Meanings

raise – raised –  raised:

        meaning 1:         To move to a higher position; erect, build

        grammar:          Transitive verb, which means it takes an object: S + V + Object

        example:            If you want to say something, just raise your hand

             Have they raised your salary?

             They have raised a monument to the old general.

             They are going to raise our salaries in January. (compare with meaning rise, meaning 3, example 3)

rise – rose –  risen:

        meaning 1:         (When talking of the sun, the moon, stars, or similar that you may think of) appear.

        grammar:          Intransitive verb, which means it doesn’t take an object: S + V (+ Adverbial)

        example:            The sun rises in the East.

              Has the moon risen yet?

        meaning 2:         When getting up from a lying, sitting or kneeling position.

        grammar:          Intransitive verb: S + V or S + V + to-infinitive/adverbial

        example:            He rose to meet his brother.

             She rose from her chair and ran to the door when she heard the bell.

              Although he had been shot 27 times, the hero rose on his feet and went for his attacker.

        meaning 3:         To say that you go up in society, reach a higher level, go higher, etc.

        grammar:          Intransitive verb: S + V (+ Adverbial)

        example:            Although he started from scratch, he rose to fame and wealth.

             Due to the rain, the river has risen 2 metres and is menacing the nearby dwellings.

             Salaries never rise in this country. Only prices rise, as I can see.

There are several more meanings, but these are enough for the purpose of this article.

arise – arose – arisen :

        meaning 1:        When you want to say that something has come into existence, or has come to notice, or has

                             presented itself. Any tense, of course.

        grammar:          Intransitive verb: S + V (+ Adverbial)

        example:            It was then that the problem arose.

                           A new problem has arisen between your brother and his wife.

           The mist arose before they set off on their journey.

                          The dispute between the two neighbouring countries arose when an armed patrol of one of them crossed the border of 
                                                        the other

        Meaning 2:       When you want to say that something has resulted from something else.

        Grammar:         Intransitive verb. Verb Pattern: S + V + Prep. + Adverbial

        Example:            A serious crisis may arise from this trivial diplomatic misunderstanding.

             The dilemma will arise the moment we have a second option.

                        

rouse – roused – roused :

        meaning 1:         Wake up.

        grammar:           Intransitive/transitive verb: S + V (+ Object)

        example:             I was roused by the explosion.

                             The explosion roused me at 6 in the morning.

        Meaning 2:        To express that you are moved to activity

        Grammar:          Transitive verb. Verb Pattern: S + V  Object (+ Adverbial)

        Example:            The series of crimes roused the population to a massive protest.

                             He was roused to action by their insults. 

arouse – aroused – aroused :

        meaning 1:         Stir up, make somebody become active, excite.

        grammar:          Transitive verb: S + V + Object

        example:            The demagogue’s rant aroused the crowd against the government.

                            The refugees’ misery has aroused our sympathy.

        Meaning 2:        Awaken.

        Grammar:         Transitive verb. Verb Pattern: S + V  Object (+ Adverbial)

Example:            Your loitering in the area at such a time may arouse suspicion and somebody may call the police.