Finn:  Hello, I am Finn and you're listening to Question and Answer of the Week from BBC Learning English.   
Yang Li:  大家好，我是杨莉。《你问我答》节目是专门为解答听众朋友在英语学习过程中遇到的种种难题而设计的，每周回答一个问题。
 
 
Finn:  Today we’re explaining the difference between the words rise and raise. And this week’s question comes from a listener who didn't leave their name.      
 
Yang Li:  今天我们要讲解的rise 和raise 这两个词的区别。 我们将从三个方面进行比较。   第一点，作为动词，一个是及物动词，一个是不及物动词。 
 
Finn:  The basic difference is that raise is a transitive verb which can take an object: The company raised its prices by 10%.   
 
 
Yang Li:  To raise是及物动词 a transitive verb, 后面要带着宾语。 比如上面的例句，某公司提高了百分之十的价格。
 
 
Finn:  Rise, on the other hand, is an intransitive verb and cannot be followed by an object. For example: Prices have risen by 10%. 
 
Yang Li:  To rise是不及物动词  an intransitive verb. 动词后面不跟宾语。比如上面的例句，价格上涨了百分之十。
 
Finn:  Now secondly another difference, raise is a regular verb (raise, raise, raised), whereas rise is irregular (rise, rose, risen).
 
 
Yang Li:  第二点是动词形式上的不同. Raise是规则动词raise, raise, raised. Rise是不规则动词rise, rose, risen.  
 
Finn:  Let’s listen to some more examples: 
 Insert:
 
 
Helen raised her voice in order to be heard.
 
New buildings are rising throughout the city.
 
She has raised two children by herself.
 
 
Finn:  So far we’ve talked about rise and raise as verbs. But rise and raise are also nouns. In British English we often hear the word rise being used to mean an increase in salary, a pay rise. In American English, people more often say raise, a pay raise.
 
Yang Li:  Raise 和rise 也可以作名词。在英式英语中涨工资这个概念可以用rise.但是在美式英语中同样概念则用raise. 比如我想说，Tom 的老板拒绝给他涨工资。那 Finn 英式英语怎么说?
 
Finn:  Tom’s boss refused to give him a rise.
 
Yang Li:  Thank you. 那美式英语又怎么说？
 
Finn:  Tom’s boss refused to give him a raise. 
 
Yang Li:  Thanks Finn. So to sum up when the two words are used as verbs there are two differences.
Finn:  Firstly, raise is a transitive verb whereas rise is an intransitive verb.
Yang Li:  Secondly, raise is a regular verb whereas rise is an irregular verb.
Finn:  When used as a noun, they mean a rise in salary but again there is a difference between British English and American English here.
Yang Li:  Now shall we try a little translation exercise? I will say the Chinese and you give the English Finn. 
Finn:  OK. I will give the English but I am sure that everyone at home will be a lot faster than me at translating.
Yang Li:  Number one. 太阳从东方升起。
Finn:   太阳从东方升起。The sun rises in the east. The verb is rises.

Yang Li:  Number two. 学生们都举起小红旗欢迎客人。
Finn:    The students all raised their little red flags to welcome the guests. The     verb here is raised.
Yang Li:  Number three. 现在人们的生活水平普遍提高了。
Finn:  Now, people’s general living standards have risen. The verb here is risen, from rise.

Yang Li:  Number four, the last one. 明天我们老板请客因为他提薪了。
Finn:  Tomorrow, our boss will take us for dinner as he’s just got a pay rise. That’s British English. In American English you would say he’s got a raise.
Yang Li:  Well done Finn. I think we’ve pretty much explained the three main differences regarding the words raise and rise. Anything to add, Finn?
Finn:  I suggest that students always consult a good dictionary for more information about this kind of thing but it’s also always a good idea to regularly check our website for more Question and Answer of the Week programmes.
Yang Li:  That’s right. 不过我想提醒大家, 在发电子邮件的时候千万别忘了留下你的名字。
Finn:  And of course our email address is questions.chinaelt@bbc.co.uk. Thanks for listening and see you next time.
Finn:  Bye bye.   

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）