Lesson 15 Spelling
There is a class of words having the sound of long e, represented by the diphthong ie, and another class having the same sound represented by ei. It is a matter of perplexity at times to determine whether one of these words should be spelled with ie or ei. Here is a little rhyme which you will find a valuable aid to the memory in spelling these words:
When the letter c you spy,
Put the e before the i.
For example, in such words as deceit, receive and ceiling, the spelling is ei. On the other hand, when the diphthong is not preceded by the letter c, the spelling is ie, as in grief, field, siege, etc.
There are a few exceptions to this rule, such as either, neither, leisure, seize and weird. Most words, however, conform to the rule—when preceded by c, ei should be used; when preceded by any other letter, ie.
Observe that this rule applies only when there is a diphthong having the sound of long e. When the two letters do not have the sound of long e, as in ancient, the rule does not apply.
Monday
Deceive
Belief
Conceive
Brief
Ceiling
Tuesday
Field
Receive
Piece
Chief
Leisure
Wednesday
Receipt
Wield
Weird
Thief
Perceive
Thursday
Deceit
Yield
Grief
Seize
Conceit
Friday
Relieve
Neither
Liege
Shield
Niece
Saturday
Relief
Achievement
Reprieve
Lien
Siege