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Unit 21: Spelling the ie and ei words 'i before e except after c'
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Unit 21: The i before e rule – does it work?

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Unit 21 - Spelling ie and ei words

One of the best known spelling rules is:

Spelling rule, i before e except after c

But does it always work?

The answer is that as with many spelling rules, it works only some of the time. If you count all the borrowed words in our language, some sources say there are actually more exceptions to the rule!

Listen to the sound:

Look at the words in the table below. They all use the long /e/ sound and follow the rule. Use our icons to learn the words. Some will be tested in the next activity.

Spelling rule, i before e except after c Spelling rule, i before e except after c
ie as in field ei as in receipt
field
shield
wield
yield
brief
chief
grief
belief
relief
mischief
niece
piece*
bier*
tier*
 pier*
cashier
siege
shriek
priest
fierce
pierce
achieve
believe
relieved
reprieve
retrieve
diesel
hygiene
ceiling*
receipt
receive
deceive
conceive
perceive
conceit
deceit
Learn the Words:
Learn the Words:
NOTES:
1) Words marked * are homophones. Please see page 9
2) The /ē/ sound on the end of a word is usually spelled with the letter y but it can be ie.
For example:

a) Shortened words e.g.
budgie movie nightie Mountie

b) 'Pet' names e.g.
Jackie Charlie auntie sweetie

c) Slang words e.g.
goalie rookie techie walkie-talkie

d) Other words e.g.
calorie eerie genie prairie

Look at the words in each list.

You will see that, for these words with the long /ē/ sound, this rule DOES work:

Spelling rule, i before e except after c

You have not completed Learn the Words activities for each word list on this page.

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Take a test in these words.

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