raise down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raise down" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It is a contradictory expression, as "raise" implies to lift up, while "down" implies to lower. Example: "You should not raise down the flag; it should be raised up high."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. SMITH: Well, we're raise down and prove it.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Securitised subprime mortgages destroyed the asset base of banks, and with it, the trust and confidence upon which the financial system depends.Regulators in the United States had total power over subprime lending but as the bubble built, they used that power not to raise down-payments or credit standards, but to lower them.

The Economist

But Jay Brinkmann, the chief economist of the Mortgage Bankers Association, said that "principal write-downs," as they are known in the industry, might actually prevent more people from owning homes, because lenders would very likely have to raise down-payment requirements and tighten lending standards to offset the risk of falling property values.

The New York Times

"I was raised down there, and I will always make my home down there.

The New York Times - Sports

An estimated £15 million ($24.4 million) was raised, down from £25 million last year, but still more than expected.

The New York Times

Responding to an outcry over rising property prices last year, Hong Kong raised down payments on luxury homes to 40 percent from 30 percent and clamped down on marketing techniques.

The New York Times

China's two-year campaign to rein in home prices has included measures like raising down payments and mortgage rates and restricting home purchase in 40 cities.

The New York Times

With all due respect to Fadwa Elmenjra and Rhonda Silver, we "real Jersey Girls" who were raised "down the Shore" and are now raising families "down the Shore" actually do just "go to the beach".

The New York Times

She was a railwayman's daughter, raised down the tracks from León in a small, poor village called Campo y Santibáñez.

The Guardian

Popular, often bipartisan, new bills that require pregnant women be given positive information about raising Down syndrome children when their fetus tests positive for the disability have passed in 11 states.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, Lovenheim bought his Holsteins from a farm only 30-odd miles from his home, had them raised down the road in York and then found a slaughterhouse 12 miles up Route 36, in Caledonia.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "raise down" as it is not grammatically correct. Choose more appropriate verbs such as "lower", "bring down", or "reduce" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid confusing "raise down" with valid phrases like "bring it down" or "turn it down". Ensure the correct verb is used to accurately reflect the intended action of lowering or reducing something.

Linguistic Context

"Raise down" is not a recognized grammatical construction in English. Ludwig AI analysis suggests that its components, "raise" and "down", create a contradictory sense, rendering the phrase nonsensical in most contexts. While "raise" means to lift, "down" indicates a downward direction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raise down" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal and informal writing. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that it is a contradictory expression, as "raise" means to lift upwards, while "down" indicates a downward direction. The scarce examples found by Ludwig highlight instances where "raise" and "down" appear adjacently but not as a cohesive, valid phrase. It is recommended to use alternative verbs such as "lower", "bring down", or "reduce" to convey the intended meaning accurately. Using "raise down" can cause confusion and is generally considered an error in English usage. This guide serves to clarify its incorrectness and provide suitable replacements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower

This suggests a straightforward action of bringing something to a lower position.

bring down

This implies causing something to decrease or come to a lower level.

reduce

This focuses on diminishing the quantity or intensity of something.

decrease

This refers to a general decline in amount, level or intensity.

drop

Suggests a rapid or sudden lowering of something.

ascend

Represents an action of moving upwards, directly contrasting 'down'.

elevate

To lift up or increase to a higher position.

lift up

This refers to physically raising something.

increase

Implies growth or expansion rather than physical movement.

promote

To elevate in rank or status, differing from a physical elevation.

FAQs

Is "raise down" grammatically correct?

No, "raise down" is not grammatically correct. The verb "raise" implies lifting something up, while "down" indicates a lowering motion. This combination creates a contradictory and unusable expression.

What can I say instead of "raise down"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "lower", "bring down", or "reduce".

When would I use "raise" and "down" in the same sentence, but not as the phrase "raise down"?

You might use "raise" and "down" in the same sentence when describing separate actions, such as "Raise your hands, then put them down" or "They raise prices only to bring them down later/s/bring+down".

How does the meaning change if I use "lower" instead of "raise down"?

Using "lower" provides a clear and grammatically correct way to express the action of bringing something to a lower position. "Raise down" does not convey a clear or understandable meaning, while "lower" accurately communicates the intended action.