raise water

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raise water" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in contexts related to increasing water levels or elevating water for a specific purpose, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The engineers worked to raise water levels in the reservoir to ensure adequate supply during the dry season."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Milwaukee wants to raise water rates for existing customers to support its cash-strapped water supplier.

The Economist

Some farmers were using hand pumps, but biomechanically, that's a lousy way to raise water.

The New York Times - Health

Climate change may raise water levels, further contaminating drinking sources in Dhaka and Kolkata.

The Economist

To catch up, it is having to raise water tariffs above English levels.

The Economist

The diversion from the Han is necessitating more complex projects to raise water levels.

The New York Times

Planners intend to raise water levels to 575 feet by 2009.

The New York Times

Meaning, literally, to raise water, but really meaning to bring water to a boil.

The New Yorker

By 400 A.D., however, temperatures had warmed enough to raise water levels to about three feet above current elevations.

Stanford University

They were constructed in the 14th century to raise water to aqueducts, which supplied water for drinking and irrigation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Storm surges are expected to raise water levels by as much as six feet in the Dominican Republic.

The New York Times

RIM, designed for noxious insect control, involves pumping estuarine water into impoundments in this area during spring and summer to raise water levels by 30cmm.

Journal of Environmental Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. "Raise water" can refer to both increasing water levels and increasing water tariffs. Choose the phrasing that best fits your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "raise water" when you specifically mean increasing water tariffs; instead, use "increase water rates" or "raise water rates" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise water" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "raise" is the verb and "water" is the direct object. It signifies the action of increasing the level, amount, or pressure of water or water rates. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is acceptable and understandable in many contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raise water" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe actions related to increasing the level, amount, or pressure of water, as well as increasing water rates or tariffs. Ludwig indicates it's an acceptable phrase, though sometimes context-dependent for full clarity. While its usage spans several contexts including news, encyclopedias, and science, understanding the intended meaning is crucial to prevent misinterpretations. When clarity is paramount, alternatives like "increase water level" or "increase water rates" may be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase water level

Focuses on the level of water, implying a measurable height change.

elevate water

Suggests a physical lifting of water, often against gravity.

boost water supply

Emphasizes increasing the amount of water available.

augment water resources

Formal and highlights the addition to existing water sources.

enhance water volume

Technical; focuses on the quantitative increase in water.

draw up water

Implies pulling water from a source, like a well or river.

pump water

Emphasizes the mechanical action of moving water upwards.

lift water

Similar to 'elevate' but can imply a more direct physical lift.

increase water productivity

Focuses on improving the efficiency of water use, rather than the amount itself.

build up water reserves

Highlights the accumulation of water for future use.

FAQs

How is "raise water" used in a sentence?

The phrase "raise water" can be used in various contexts, such as "The project aims to "raise water levels" in the reservoir" or "The city decided to "raise water rates" for residents" depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to saying "raise water"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "increase water level" when referring to physical water levels or "increase water rates" when discussing the cost of water.

What does it mean to "raise water productivity"?

"Raise water productivity" refers to increasing the efficiency of water use, meaning to produce more goods or services with the same amount of water or to use less water to produce the same amount of goods or services.

When is it appropriate to use "raise water" versus "increase water"?

While both "raise" and "increase" can be used with "water", "raise" is often used when referring to physically lifting or elevating water (e.g., using a pump), while "increase" is more general and can refer to increasing the quantity or level of water or water rates. For example, "increasing water rates" may be preferable to "raise water rates".