Answer: rise v. raise

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

From an anonymous questioner: When is it appropriate to use "rise" versus "raise"?

The verbs "rise" and "raise" both indicate upward movement. However the difference between them, just as with lie vs. lay, is that the first is an intransitive verb and the second a transitive verb. That's the grammarian's way of saying "rise" can't have an object and "raise" must have one.

( Here are some examples from Supernatural, with one Harry Potter thrown in. )