raise the thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raise the thing" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are instructing someone to elevate or increase something, though it may lack specificity. Example: "In order to improve visibility, please raise the thing on the shelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Jake Lynn, a spokesman for the city's Department of Small Business Services, estimated that it would cost $159,000 to raise the thing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's also very, very easy to work with, without having to hand-raise the thing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The fact that we call it a "ceiling" implies that we are periodically "raising" the thing to allow for more room for more debt.

Huffington Post

Later that day emails from the minister's account described the video as "offending", adding: "I raised the things that jumped out as wrong or negative".

The Guardian

— and raise the helpless thing, literally, from the dead.

The New Yorker

The jacks and buttons remain accessible, and two flip-out legs on the back raise the whole thing off the desk slightly for easier on-screen typing.

The New York Times - Tech

For a Fed driven by other stuff -- emotions, ennui, nervousness ("let's just raise the damn thing already and break the suspense!"), nightmares from the late 1970s, or whatever... well, that's a different story.

Huffington Post

Instead it gets the private sector to raise the cash, build the thing and maintain it afterwards.

The Economist

"This event raises the whole thing.

The Guardian - Tech

Then Humph and Wally came along and raised the whole thing from enthusiastic approximation to a level not far removed from the original.

The Guardian

Then, when the land claims were raised, the whole thing was resolved in Washington, so it never became a big issue here until afterwards".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "raise the thing", ensure the context makes it clear what "thing" refers to. If ambiguity exists, specify the object to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "raise the thing" when a more specific term would provide clarity. Overuse can make your writing sound imprecise and unprofessional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise the thing" functions as a verb phrase directing an action upon an unspecified object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The verb "raise" indicates an act of elevation or increase, while "the thing" acts as a placeholder noun.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raise the thing" is a grammatically correct, though somewhat vague, expression used to instruct or request the elevation or increase of an unspecified object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While found in various contexts, primarily within News & Media sources, its informality suggests that more specific language is preferable in professional settings. When using "raise the thing", always ensure the context makes the referent clear, otherwise alternatives like "elevate the object" or "lift the item" can provide better clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elevate the object

Replaces "raise" with a more formal synonym and "thing" with a more specific noun.

lift the item

Uses a more common verb and a slightly more defined noun compared to "thing".

hoist the object

Implies lifting something heavy or with effort.

increase the level of it

Focuses on increasing a measurable quantity.

promote the item

Suggests advancing something in status or importance.

bring up the subject

Refers to introducing a topic of discussion.

advance the matter

Implies moving a situation or discussion forward.

boost the element

Suggests improving or strengthening a particular component.

build up the component

Focuses on incrementally improving or increasing a component.

magnify the subject

Emphasizes increasing the importance or visibility of something.

FAQs

How can I use "raise the thing" in a sentence?

You can use "raise the thing" when referring to lifting an object or increasing something, but ensure the context clarifies what "thing" refers to. For example, "Could you please raise the thing on the shelf?"

What's a better alternative to "raise the thing" if I want to be more specific?

Alternatives include phrases like "elevate the object", "lift the item", or specifying the actual object, such as "raise the flag".

Is "raise the thing" formal or informal?

"Raise the thing" is relatively informal due to the vagueness of "thing". Using more precise language is generally preferred in formal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "raise the thing"?

It's appropriate when the object being raised is already understood in the conversation or context. Otherwise, use a more specific noun.