What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ascend
Example
The hikers began to ascend the steep mountain trail. [ascend: verb]
Example
She felt her heart rate increase as she ascended the stairs. [ascended: past tense]
rise
Example
The hot air balloon slowly rose into the sky. [rise: verb]
Example
He felt a sense of accomplishment as he watched his grades rise. [rise: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rise is more commonly used than ascend in everyday language. Rise is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while ascend is less common and tends to be used in more formal or specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ascend and rise?
While ascend is typically associated with a more formal tone, rise can be used in both formal and informal contexts.