“i” before “e” except after “c” or when it sounds like “a” as in neighbor or weigh

“i” before “e” except after “c”- what does that even mean? MOST of the time, if you’re confused whether a word is “ei” or “ie”, use this rule: MOST of the time put “IE” (like relief, chief, achieve) UNLESS “IE” is going to come after the letter “C” (receipt, ceiling) THEN switch to “EI”

"I" Before "E" Except After "C" By Duncan McKenzie It's a rule that is simple, concise and efficeint. For all speceis of spelling it's more than sufficeint. Against words wild and wierd, it's one law that shines bright Blazing out like a beacon upon a great hieght, It gives guidance impartial, sceintific and fair In this language, this tongue to which we are all hier. 'Gainst the glaceirs of ignorance that icily frown, This great precept gives warmth, like a thick iederdown. Now, a few in soceity choose to deride, To cast DOUBT on this anceint and venerable guide; They unwittingly follow a foriegn agenda, A plot hatched, I am sure, in some vile haceinda. In our work and our liesure, our homes and our schools, Let us follow our consceince, sieze proudly our rules! Will I dilute my standards, make them vaguer and blither? I say NO, I will not! I trust you will not iether.

Copy this chart into your notes. “I” before “e” (says long e) Except after “c” Sounds like “a” Exceptions chief field belief piece brief relieve thief priest ceiling deceive receive their eight reign freight sleigh neighbor seize weird leisure species

Add the word to the chart in your notes Add the word to the chart in your notes. Try to base your decision on the “rules”; if no rule seems to apply, add it to the exceptions column. (Pencil only!) foreign fierce siege reindeer veil caffeine protein beige surveillance pie forfeit friend yield hygiene glacier receipt

Answer Key “I” before “e” Except after “c” Sounds like “a” Exceptions fierce siege pie friend * yield hygiene receipt reindeer veil beige surveillance foreign caffeine protein forfeit friend (or “I” before “e”) glacier

Practice it! Write a rhyming poem ONLY using “ie” words OR “ei” words. Highlight the words you used. It should be 6-8 lines. Write all the “ei” words in alphabetical order (exceptions, too!) Write a short story using all the “ie” words. Highlight them within the story. (Use the exceptions, too!)