How to Remember the “ie” Rule.
Have you ever memorised your footy club’s winning song? Or the first verse of the national anthem or your favourite song? But you can’t remember the second verse.
Your school teacher would’ve drummed into you the ‘ie’ rule … But that was so long ago, and you can’t remember the additional two lines that cover the exceptions to the spelling rule.
“I before E, except after C, unless it sounds like A, as in neighbour or weight.”
For example
I before E
Piece, believe, field, shield
Correct: The jigsaw piece was found under the lounge. I believe in unicorns and fairy dust. The soccer field was white with frost.
Except after C
Receive, ceiling, conceive, receipt
Correct: The pooch was happy to receive his treat. The ceiling was about to collapse. The couple found it hard to conceive. There was no need to print the receipt.
Unless it sounds like A
Neighbour, weight, beige
Correct: The neighbour didn’t invite me to the party. The weight of the car crushed his leg. My favourite colour is beige.
There’re always exceptions to the rule …
Especially when your surname is spelt – Speirs 😊
Other exceptions are
Examples: sufficient, species, science, neither, forfeit, counterfeit, conscience, leisure, foreign, height, weird, either, seize
More importantly, check your dictionary if you’re not sure.
