Spelling Rule 12

Rule 12 refers to when to use the phonograms 'ie' or 'ei'. Use 'ie', unless it is after a c, if it's making the sound 'ay', or it's on the list of exceptions.

• • • For example 'ie': brief, friend.

    • For example 'ay': vein, sheik.

    • For example after c: perceive, neighbour.

The list of common exceptions to this rule are: seize, weird, caffeine, foreign, protein, forfeit, neither, either.

Watch the tutorial videos below to see how the Spelling Tools, Spelling Rule 12 and Reading Tools are used to spell challenging words.

Special Note:

Not all words will follow the spelling rule. These are called exceptions. If 90% or more words follow this rule then this is still a great tool to help become a proficient speller. Language experience will deal with the rest.