SpeakUp

Grammar fix

raise children

bring up kids

To care for and guide children as they grow up, teaching them how to behave and helping them become adults.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • It's not easy to raise children on your own, but many single parents do it every day.family
  • In my opinion, it is important for both parents to share the responsibility when they raise children, as it helps create a balanced family environment.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: raise + children/kids/family

WrongIt's hard to grow up children.

RightIt's hard to raise children.

You RAISE children; 'grow up' is what children do themselves.

Patternraise + children/kids/family

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff She undertook the rearing of three children.

Natural She raised three kids.

'Undertook the rearing of' is archaic; 'raise kids' is normal.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • raise children
    raise childrenraise kidsbring up childrenraise them well

Don't confuse it

'Raise children' means to look after and teach children as they grow. It does not mean to physically lift them up.

Try it in Daily Speak →