raise standards — improve quality
collocationB2IELTS 5.5+neutralcommon
to make the level of quality, skill, or behavior higher or better than before.
Say it like a native
Textbook The reforms aim to elevate the prevailing standards of education.
Native The reforms aim to raise standards in schools.
'Raise standards' is the natural collocation; 'elevate prevailing standards' is pompous.
Pattern: raise standards (of/in something)
In use
- The school decided to raise standards by hiring more qualified teachers.education
- In my opinion, governments should raise standards in public healthcare to ensure everyone receives high-quality treatment.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ We need to raise the standard of the work up.
✓ We need to raise standards. / ...raise the standard of the work.
'Raise' already means lift — don't add 'up'.
Common collocations
raise standards + context— standards, the bar, standards in schools, across the board
Don't confuse it
'Lower standards' means to make the quality worse.