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Meaning & use

raising a child

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌreɪzɪŋ ə ˈtʃaɪld/
US/ˌreɪzɪŋ ə ˈtʃaɪld/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    the process of caring for a child as they grow up, helping them develop and learn how to behave

    Grammar: Used as a noun phrase: 'Raising a child takes patience.' The verb inside it, raise, is transitive, so it needs an object.

    Patterns

    • raising a child takes something
    • the challenges of raising a child
    • be responsible for raising a child

    Raising a child is one of the hardest jobs anyone can do.

    They wrote a book about raising a child with special needs.

    My parents said that raising a child in a big city has its own problems.

  2. phrasefixed phrase

    the act of looking after and educating a child until they are an adult

    Grammar: Often used after prepositions like 'in' or 'about': 'She has experience in raising a child.'

    Patterns

    • experience in raising a child
    • the cost of raising a child
    • help with raising a child

    The cost of raising a child has gone up a lot in recent years.

    He has a lot of experience in raising a child from a previous marriage.

    Many grandparents help with raising a child when both parents work.

Common combinations

raising a child alone
She has been raising a child alone since her partner left.
the responsibility of raising a child
The responsibility of raising a child should be shared.
raising a child in poverty
Raising a child in poverty brings extra stress for the whole family.
raising a child bilingual
Raising a child bilingual can give them advantages later in life.
raising a child with discipline
Some parents believe in raising a child with firm discipline.

Synonyms and how they differ

bringing up a child
This is the more common British phrase for the same idea; it sounds slightly less formal than 'raising a child' in American English.
child-rearing
A more formal or academic term for the whole process; it is often used in books and reports rather than in everyday speech.
parenting
Focuses on the role and methods of parents rather than the whole process; it is often used in discussions about styles and techniques.

Word family

raise verb
To care for a child until they are an adult; the base verb of the phrase.
upbringing noun
The way a child is treated and educated while growing up.
child-rearing noun
The activity of bringing up children, often used in formal contexts.

Commonly confused: raising a child or rising a child? raising a child or raising up a child?

raising a child vs rising a child

'Rising' means going up or getting up, so 'rising a child' makes no sense. The correct verb is 'raise'.

raising a child vs raising up a child

'Raise up' is not used for bringing up children in standard English; 'raise a child' is the normal phrase.

Practice

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