raise OR rise?

The verbs raise and rise both refer to something going "up". The main difference between them is that raise is transitive (it must have a direct object) and rise is intransitive (no direct object).

• Something raises something.
• Something rises.

We also note that:

• raise is regular: raise, raised, raised
• rise is irregular: rise, rose, risen

raise (regular, transitive)

raise, raised, raised, raising

If you raise something, it means that you elevate it - you move it up or lift it to a higher level.

• The government plans to raise the age of retirement from 65 to 67.
• If you have a question, please raise your hand.
• Mary raises her voice when she's angry.
• He raised his eyebrows, as if surprised.
• They have raised their prices every year since they were founded.
• The king's men were raising the drawbridge when it collapsed.

rise (irregular, intransitive)

rise, rose, risen, rising

If something rises, it means that it elevates itself - it goes up itself. No external force is needed to lift it. But note that there is not always a physical movement; sometimes the meaning is just "to increase".

• I like to rise at 6am, but my husband stays in bed until 8am.
• If it doesn't stop raining, the river will rise and overflow.
• Hot air rises.
• John rose from his chair when Mary walked in.
• Jane has risen in her company very quickly and is now CEO.
• Prices are rising all the time.