Listen to this programme first and then read the information below. 請先聽節目然后再閱讀以下內容。

This week’s question comes from a listener who would like to know the difference between the words rise and raise.

The main differences between these words are as follows:

1. Transitive vs Intransitive

Raise is a transitive verb and when used in a sentence it is usually followed by an object. For example:

BP will raise its petrol price by 10%.

Rise, on the other hand, is an intransitive verb and it cannot be followed by an object. For example:

Petrol prices will rise by 10%.

2. Regular vs Irregular verb

Raise is a regular verb (raise, raise, raised), whereas rise is an irregular verb (rise, rose, risen).

3. Using rise and raise as nouns

In British English the word rise is used to mean an increase in salary. A pay rise. In American English, people would call this a raise. For example:

Tom’s boss refused to give him a rise (UK)/raise (US).

Listen to this week’s audio programme for more example sentences.

You will also be given an opportunity to translate some sentences using the words rise and raise.

In everyday English people use the words rise and raise a lot so it is important you have a clear idea of what they mean and how they are used.

We look forward to hearing any other questions you might have about the English language.

Everyone is welcome to email their questions to questions.chinaelt@bbc.co.uk.

Glossary 詞匯

transitive verb及物動詞

intransitive verb 不及物動詞

regular verb 規則動詞

irregular verb 不規則動詞

nouns 名詞

pay rise 漲工資（英）

raise 漲工資（美）