Cool MateAmplify this vs Boost vs Enhance vs Increase vs Raise
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Amplify this
Top 2,000 (common)
Boost
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Enhance
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B2verb
Increase
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Raise
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
| Amplify this | Boost | Enhance | Increase | Raise | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈæmplɪfaɪ ðɪs//🇺🇸 //ˈæmpləˌfaɪ ðɪs// | 🇬🇧 /["/buːst/","/buːsts/","/ˈbuːstɪd/","/ˈbuːstɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/buːst/","/buːsts/","/ˈbuːstɪd/","/ˈbuːstɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈhɑːns/","/ɪnˈhɑːnsɪz/","/ɪnˈhɑːnst/","/ɪnˈhɑːnsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈhæns/","/ɪnˈhænsɪz/","/ɪnˈhænst/","/ɪnˈhænsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkriːs/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪz/","/ɪnˈkriːst/","/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/reɪz/","/ˈreɪzɪz/","/reɪzd/","/ˈreɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/reɪz/","/ˈreɪzɪz/","/reɪzd/","/ˈreɪzɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Make something louder or stronger. | to increase or improve something | To improve something and make it better. | To make something larger in amount or size. | To lift something up or to increase something. |
| Example | The project needs to amplify this message to reach a wider audience. | to boost exports/profits | The new software will enhance the overall performance of the computer. | We need to increase our budget for the project. | I want to raise my hand to ask a question. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 | B2 | A2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | amplify sound, amplify emotions, amplify impact, amplify effects, amplify message | considerably, dramatically, greatly, help (to), to | considerably, dramatically, greatly, can, could, may, digitally enhanced, surgically enhanced | considerably, dramatically, drastically, be expected to, be likely to, by, from, in | raise funds, raise awareness, raise a question, raise the stakes, raise your hand |
| Antonyms | - | decrease, diminish, reduce | degrade, diminish, reduce | decrease, reduce, diminish | lower, decrease |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'amplifier' as a verb., Using 'amplify' without a clear object., Overusing in casual contexts when 'increase' could suffice. | Confused with 'boast' – they have different meanings., Using 'boost' with uncountable nouns incorrectly., Confusing transitive use of 'boost' with intransitive. | Confused with 'enhancement' in noun form., Using 'enhance' without an object (it needs something to enhance)., Incorrectly using as a synonym for 'increase' in unrelated contexts. | Using 'increases' as a noun instead of a verb., Confusing 'increase' with 'decrease' which has the opposite meaning., Incorrectly forming the past tense as 'increased' when it should be 'increased' without a change. | 'Raise' confused with 'rise' (e.g., 'I rise my hand'), Using 'raise' without an object (e.g., 'raise' without specifying what is raised), Confusing past tense ('raised') with present tense ('raise') |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in contexts like audio, enhancing effects, or increasing emotions. Avoid in formal academic writing. | Used in various contexts, such as improving performance or enhancing qualities. Avoid in highly formal contexts. | Used in both professional and casual contexts. More common in writing than speaking. Avoid in informal situations where simpler words may suffice. | Use 'increase' in contexts involving growth, improvement, or enhancement. It is appropriate for both spoken and written English, but avoid in overly casual conversations where simpler words like 'go up' might be preferred. | Use 'raise' when talking about increasing amounts, such as money or levels. It is not used for people standing up (use 'rise' instead). Suitable for both spoken and written contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Amplify this vs Boost vs Enhance vs Increase vs Raise
What's the difference between Amplify this, Boost, Enhance, Increase, and Raise?
Amplify this: Make something louder or stronger. Boost: to increase or improve something Enhance: To improve something and make it better. Increase: To make something larger in amount or size. Raise: To lift something up or to increase something.
Can you show an example of each?
Amplify this: The project needs to amplify this message to reach a wider audience. Boost: to boost exports/profits Enhance: The new software will enhance the overall performance of the computer. Increase: We need to increase our budget for the project. Raise: I want to raise my hand to ask a question.
Can I use Amplify this, Boost, Enhance, Increase, and Raise interchangeably?
Not always. Amplify this, Boost, Enhance, Increase, and Raise are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.