Words where i before e except after c apply?

The rule "i before e except after c" is a helpful guideline, but it's not a hard-and-fast rule. There are many exceptions to this rule.

Here's a breakdown:

The Rule

The rule generally applies when the combination of "ie" or "ei" makes a long "e" sound.

* Examples:

* believe

* achieve

* piece

* field

* niece

Exceptions

There are many exceptions to this rule, including:

* Words with a "c" sound:

* ceiling

* receipt

* conceit

* science

* Words with a "sh" sound:

* shepherd

* ancient

* Words where the "i" and "e" follow a "w" or "u":

* weird

* weight

* their

* seize

* Words with an "ei" combination that makes a long "a" sound:

* neighbor

* weigh

* eight

* freight

Common Exceptions

* "friend"

* "foreign"

* "height"

* "weird"

* "their"

* "leisure"

Remember

The rule is a useful tool, but it's not infallible. The best way to learn the correct spelling is to memorize the exceptions or look them up in a dictionary.