In ordinary modern English, however, “He has risen” follows the standard present perfect structure.
Understanding the difference between these phrases is useful because the choice depends on grammar, meaning and context. “He has risen” emphasizes the completed action of rising while “He is risen” presents the person as being in a risen or resurrected state. The traditional religious phrase “He is risen” has a long established place in Christian language and worship. Both expressions can therefore be meaningful but they are used differently.
Quick Answer
“He has risen” is the standard modern grammatical form when you mean that someone has risen. It emphasizes his present risen state rather than simply the action of rising.
The confusion comes from the fact that risen can function as the past participle of the verb rise.
The basic forms are:
- Rise — present/base form
- Rose — simple past
- Risen — past participle
He has risen.
However, English also has a construction using be + past participle, particularly with certain verbs and in older, literary or traditional language.
In Christian usage, it refers to Jesus being alive after the resurrection.
The phrase focuses more on the state or result of the resurrection:
He is risen.
This traditional expression communicates the belief that Jesus has risen from the dead and is now alive.
A common response in Christian traditions is:
The phrase is therefore completely natural within this religious context.
He Has Risen
“He has risen” is the standard modern present-perfect construction.
It emphasizes the action or event that has happened.
The structure is:
He + has + risen
For example:
He has risen from the dead.
This means that he rose at some point in the past and that the result is relevant now.
Examples of “He Has Risen”
- He has risen from his seat.
- The sun has risen above the horizon.
- He has risen early this morning.
- The king has risen to power.
- Jesus has risen from the dead.
In ordinary modern English, “He has risen” is usually the natural choice when describing the completed action of rising.
| Phrase | Grammar/Usage | Main Focus | Common Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| He is risen | Traditional/literary construction | Present risen state | Religious, especially Easter |
| He has risen | Present perfect | Completed action with present relevance | Modern everyday English and religious writing |
It is especially appropriate in:
- Easter greetings
- Church services
- Religious sermons
- Christian literature
- Scripture-inspired language
- Traditional religious expressions
For example:
He is risen! Happy Easter!
This sounds natural because it uses the traditional Christian expression.
The phrase has an older and more traditional style. Modern English generally uses has + past participle to describe a completed action:
He has risen.
But religious language often preserves older grammatical patterns and expressions.
When Should You Use “He Has Risen”?
Use “He has risen” when you want to describe the action of rising using standard present-perfect grammar.
For example:
He has risen from his chair.
The sun has risen.
He has risen to become one of the country’s most respected leaders.
It is also perfectly acceptable to say:
He has risen from the dead.
This directly emphasizes the event of rising from death.
Examples of “He Has Risen”
- He has risen from the dead.
- He has risen from his chair.
- He has risen early today.
- The sun has risen over the mountains.
- He has risen to a position of great influence.
- The athlete has risen to the top of his sport.
- He has risen above his difficulties.
- The leader has risen to prominence.
- He has risen from the floor.
- The temperature has risen significantly.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Saying “He Is Rose”
Incorrect:
He is rose.
Correct:
He is risen.
or
He has risen.
Rose is the simple past form of rise, while risen is the past participle.
Mistake 3: Using “He Has Rose”
Incorrect:
He has rose.
Correct:
He has risen.
Remember:
rise → rose → risen
Mistake 4: Assuming the Two Phrases Always Mean Exactly the Same Thing
They can communicate essentially the same event in some contexts, but their emphasis differs.
He has risen emphasizes the action.
Memory Trick
Remember:
Has + risen = action
He has risen.
Think: What has happened?
He is risen.
Think: What is his present state?
For Easter and traditional Christian language, remember:
He is risen!
For standard modern present perfect grammar, remember:
He has risen.
American vs British English
There is no major American versus British spelling difference here.
Both American and British English use:
He has risen.
The expression:
He is risen.
The main difference is context and style, not nationality.
Similar Expressions
Several related expressions can help clarify the meaning.
He Rose
“He rose” is the simple past.
He rose early yesterday.
It describes a completed action in the past.
He Has Risen
“He has risen” is present perfect.
He has risen from his chair.
It connects a past action with the present situation.
He is risen!
In Christian contexts:
He was raised from the dead.
This is different from:
He has risen from the dead.
The first uses a passive construction, while the second uses the active verb rise.
Final Verdict
Both “He is risen” and “He has risen” can be correct, but they are used differently.
“He has risen” is the standard modern present-perfect form and focuses on the action of rising.
So, if you are writing a normal modern sentence about someone rising, “he has risen” is generally the safest choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “He is risen” grammatically correct?
Yes. “He is risen” is an established expression, especially in traditional and religious English. It is particularly well known as an Easter expression referring to Jesus’ resurrection.
Is “He has risen” grammatically correct?
Yes. “He has risen” is the standard present-perfect construction using has + risen, the past participle of rise.
Which is correct: “He is risen” or “He has risen”?
Both can be correct. “He has risen” is the normal modern grammatical form for the completed action. “He is risen” is a traditional expression, especially in Christian contexts.
Why do Christians say “He is risen”?
“He is risen” is a traditional Christian expression announcing that Jesus has been resurrected and is alive. It emphasizes his risen state and has been preserved in Christian religious language.
Should I say “He has rose” or “He has risen”?
You should say “He has risen.” The verb forms are rise – rose – risen.
Is “He is risen indeed” correct?
Yes. “He is risen indeed” is a traditional Christian response to “He is risen!” It means that Jesus has truly risen.
What is the past tense of rise?
The simple past is rose.
He rose early.
The past participle is risen.
He has risen early.
Can “risen” be an adjective?
Yes. In some contexts, risen can function adjectivally to describe someone or something that has risen. The traditional phrase “He is risen” is a notable example.
Remember This
- He has risen = standard modern present-perfect construction.
- He is risen = traditional expression, especially Christian/Easter language.
- Rise → rose → risen.
- Never use “He has rose.”
- “He is risen!” is especially natural as a traditional Easter declaration.
- “He has risen” is generally the better choice for ordinary modern descriptions of the action.
Conclusion
The choice between “He is risen” and “He has risen” depends mainly on context. In ordinary modern English, “He has risen” is the standard present perfect form and describes the completed action of rising. It works naturally when talking about a person, the sun, a leader or anything else that has risen.
“He is risen” has a more traditional and religious character. It is especially associated with the Christian celebration of Easter and the resurrection of Jesus. Therefore neither phrase should simply be labeled wrong. For everyday modern English, choose “He has risen.” For the traditional Christian expression, “He is risen!” is the established choice.
