I before E: A Simple Rule with a Few Exceptions
The “I before E” rule is a common English grammar rule that states that the letters “i” and “e” should appear in that order in words, except after the letter “c”. For example, the words “believe” and “receive” follow the rule, while the words “ceiling” and “conceit” do not.
This rule is generally accurate, but there are a few exceptions.
Here is a list of the most common exceptions to the “I before E” rule:
- Words that end in “-ceed”: exceed, proceed, succeed
- Words that begin with the prefix “-ceive”: receive, deceive, perceive
- Words that contain the “-ie” sound: field, yield, believe
- Words that contain the “-ei” sound: neighbor, weigh, freight
- Words that contain the “-eien” sound: science, ancient, efficient
There are also a few other exceptions to the rule, such as the words “weird” and “heir”. It is important to learn these exceptions by memorization or by using a dictionary.
Tips for Using the “I before E” Rule
Here are a few tips for using the “I before E” rule:
- When you are unsure of whether a word follows the rule, try adding the suffix “-ing” to the end of the word. If the word still follows the rule, then the “i” should come before the “e”. For example, the word “believe” follows the rule, so the word “believing” also follows the rule.
- If you are unsure of whether a word is an exception to the rule, look it up in a dictionary.
- There are also a number of online resources that can help you to learn the exceptions to the rule.
Examples of I before E
Here are some examples of words that follow the “I before E” rule:
| believe | receive | perceive |
| succeed | exceed | field |
| yield | chief | niece |
| piece | brief | relief |
Exceptions to the Rule
While the “I before E” rule is generally reliable, English being the intricate language it is, exceptions abound.
Here are some common exceptions:
- Words where ‘C’ makes an ‘sh’ sound: In certain words, ‘C’ is followed by ‘E,’ and it makes an ‘sh’ sound, like in “ceiling” and “conceit.”
- Plural words: Words where ‘E’ is followed by ‘I’ often include plurals like “species” and “species.”
- Words of foreign origin: Some words that have been borrowed from other languages don’t follow the rule. For example, “caffeine” and “weird.”
- Hyphenated words: Compound words that use hyphens, such as “co-worker,” “self-esteem,” or “anti-Semitic,” may not adhere to the rule.
How to Remember the Exceptions
Navigating the exceptions to the “I before E” rule can be a bit tricky, but there are strategies to help you remember them:
- Mnemonics: For some words, you can create mnemonic devices. For instance, “weird” can be remembered with the phrase “weird elephants in red diapers.”
- Practice: Familiarize yourself with words that don’t follow the rule and practice spelling them correctly.
- Dictionary Use: When in doubt, consult a dictionary. Most modern dictionaries provide clear guidance on the spelling and pronunciation of words.
- Proofreading: Proofread your writing carefully to catch any misspellings, especially when you’re uncertain about a word’s spelling.
The “I before E” rule is a simple rule that can help you to improve your spelling. However, it is important to be aware of the exceptions to the rule. If you are unsure of whether a word follows the rule, look it up in a dictionary or consult an online resource.
