arise
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to start to happen or exist, especially a problem, a question, or a difficult situation.
to emerge or become apparent; most frequently used with abstract subjects like 'problems', 'difficulties', or 'opportunities'.
Simple“A few unexpected problems arose during the first week of the project.”
In context“Should any further complications arise during the transition period, the legal team must be notified immediately to mitigate potential risks.”
UsageThis verb is intransitive and never takes a direct object.
Teacher's tipLearners often confuse the past forms: arise, arose, arisen. It is almost exclusively used for abstract things like 'doubts' or 'issues' in modern business English.
PitfallA problem was arisen during the meeting. A problem arose during the meeting.The verb 'arise' is intransitive and cannot be used in the passive voice.
- 02 C1 Advanced
to get up from a bed or a chair.
to move from a sitting, kneeling, or lying position to a standing one.
Simple“The king arose from his throne to greet the visitors.”
In context“He arose at dawn, feeling a renewed sense of purpose as the first light touched the valley.”
UsageOften used in religious or poetic contexts.
Teacher's tipIn everyday conversation, 'get up' or 'stand up' is much more natural. Use 'arise' only for a very dramatic or formal effect.
Usage arise from important · arise interesting · arise interpersonal
“He also said that he has "plans for any situation that may arise" should the talks fail.”
“Problems arise when large quantities reach the coast.”
From Middle English arisen, from Old English ārīsan (“to arise, get up; rise; spring from, originate; spring up, ascend”), from Proto-Germanic *uzrīsaną (“to rise up, arise”), equivalent to a- + rise. Cognate with Scots arise, aryse (“to arise, rise up, come into existence”), Middle Low German errīsen (“to stand up, arise”), Old High German irrīsan (“to rise up, fall”), Gothic 𐌿𐍂𐍂𐌴𐌹𐍃𐌰𐌽 (urreisan, “to arise”). Eclipsed Middle English sourden, sorden, borrowed from Old French sordre, sourdre (“to arise, originate, fly up”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.