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522.1 raise, rays, raze

Raise is a verb meaning “to lift or elevate.” Rays are thin lines or beams, as in rays of sunlight. Raze is a verb that means “to tear down completely.”

To raise the bar means “to reach for a higher standard.”

A laser focuses rays of electromagnetic radiation.

We’d rather renovate the old theater than raze it.

522.2 red, read

Red is a color; read (rĕd) is the past tense of the verb read (rēd), which means “to understand written words and symbols.”

522.3 right, write, rite

Right means “correct or proper”; it also means “anything to which a person has a legal claim,” as in the right to vote. Write means “to record in print.” Rite is a ritual or ceremonial act.