Rise by or rise to: describing numbers correctly
Don't confuse the size of a change with the final figure.
2 min read · Updated 9/8/2026
The key idea
Rise to shows the final level, and rise by shows the size of the increase. To give the starting and the final number together, use from … to ….
Pay attention to this difference with verbs like fall, increase, decrease too. Don't mix up percentages and percentage points: a move from 20% to 30% is 10 percentage points, and in relative terms a 50% increase.
Don't write “doubled” without checking the maths; a doubling means the final number is twice the earlier one.
See an example
Data: The number of participants rose from 80 to 100.
- The number rose to 100.
- The number rose by 20.
- The number rose from 80 to 100.
All three describe the same change from different sides. Rose by 100 would give another meaning.
Now you try
The price rose from 40 manats to 60 manats.
- The price increased by / to 20 manats.
- The price increased by / to 60 manats.
- Did the price double?
A personal draft. It is not saved when you leave or automatically graded.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Answer and explanation
- by — the difference is 60 − 40 = 20.
- to — the final price is 60.
- No. If it had doubled, it would be 80. In this data the relative increase is 50%.
When you check your writing, look to see that there is a difference beside every by and a final figure beside every to.
Write a process description step by step
Official sources for this topic
IELTS · Writing