English Grammar - Handbook Of Good English - Facts On File (& Punctuation, Useage, Etc) - raise vs. rise

Raise is a transitive verb and hence has an object, as in 

 

He raised the cup to his lips. 

Ele levou a xícara aos lábios.

Rise is an intransitive verb and hence has no object, as in 

 

He rose from his chair.  

Ele se levantou da cadeira.

 

Raise is frequently misused for rise, as in 

 

He raised to one elbow.

 

He raised himself to one elbow is correct, since the  reflexive pronoun himself is provided as an object for raised.