Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Spelling: 'i' before 'e' except after 'c'


Spelling matters. If you want to create a good impression in your writing and make sure you get your meaning across clearly, it’s important to get your spelling right.


i before e except after c

Most people know the spelling rule about i before e except after c, as in the following words:
-ie-
-ei-
achieve
ceiling
belief
conceit
believe
deceit
chief
deceive
piece
perceive
thief
receipt
yield
receive
 
The rule only applies when the sound represented is ‘ee’, though. It doesn’t apply to words like science or efficient, in which the –ie- combination does follow the letter c but isn’t pronounced ‘ee’.
 
There are a few exceptions to the general i before e rule, even when the sound is ‘ee’. Examples include seizeweird, andcaffeine. There’s nothing for it but to learn how to spell these words, checking in a dictionary until you are sure about them.


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