Listen to this programme first and then read the information below. 请先听节目然后再阅读以下内容。

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 词汇

transitive verb及物动词

intransitive verb 不及物动词

regular verb 规则动词

irregular verb 不规则动词

nouns 名词

pay rise 涨工资（英）

raise 涨工资（美）