What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
risen
Example
The temperature has risen significantly since yesterday. [risen: past participle]
Example
The company's stock price has risen by 10% in the last quarter. [risen: verb]
Example
She has risen through the ranks to become the CEO of the company. [risen: past participle]
surged
Example
The number of COVID-19 cases surged after the holidays. [surged: past tense]
Example
The popularity of the new restaurant surged after a positive review in the newspaper. [surged: past tense]
Example
The crowd's excitement surged as the band took the stage. [surged: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Risen is more commonly used than surged in everyday language, especially in formal contexts. Surged is less common and often used in informal contexts to describe sudden and significant increases.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between risen and surged?
Risen is more formal than surged and is often used in academic, business, or legal contexts to describe gradual or expected increases. Surged is more informal and is often used in casual conversations or news reports to describe sudden or unexpected increases.