Is “I before E except after C” a lie?

"I before E except after C" is a common mnemonic device used to help people remember the spelling of words with the "ie" and "ei" digraphs. However, this rule has many exceptions, which is why it is often said that it is a lie.

Here are some examples of words that follow the rule:

• believe

• receive

• deceive

• perceive

• conceive

However, there are also many words that break the rule, such as:

• seize

• weird

• height

• their

• weigh

• eight

• neighbour

• sleigh

• seize

• vein

• feisty

• foreign

• heist

• protein

• leisure

The reason why there are so many exceptions to this rule is because English spelling is very complex and irregular. English has borrowed words from many different languages over the centuries, and each language has its own spelling rules. As a result, English spelling is a patchwork of different rules and exceptions.

So, while "I before E except after C" is a helpful rule of thumb, it is important to be aware of the many exceptions.

Most of the exceptions to the "I before E except after C" rule come from Old English, Germanic, or Old Norse roots.

Here's a breakdown:

• Old English: Words like "weight," "neighbour", "eight," "weird," "friend," "field," "freight," "veil," and "reign" all have Old English origins.

• Germanic: "Seize," "weird" (though some argue for a separate Old Norse origin), and "freight" also have Germanic roots, even though they might have entered English through another language like French.

Remembering Exceptions:

Unfortunately, there's no single list that covers all exceptions. However, some strategies can help:

• Learn the most common exceptions: Focus on frequently used words like "weird," "their," and "seize."

• Consider the sound: If the sound is clearly "ee," the rule might apply (except after "c"). But remember, "ie" can also make other sounds like "igh" (height) or "ie" (believe).

• Use a dictionary: If unsure, consult a dictionary for the correct spelling.