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I Before E Except After C Exceptions: 50+ Great Examples

i before e except after c exceptions

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“I before e except after c” is not a consistent spelling rule in English. I before e except after c exceptions include a lot of words. For this reason, you should not take it for granted that this rule is always correct. What are some words that break the ‘I before E except after C rule?

I before e except after c is not always correct. There are many exceptions to this rule such as seize, forfeit, weigh, their, etc.

I Before E Except After C Examples

The normal rule is that I comes before E except after C:

  • Sieve
  • Believe
  • Grief
  • Relief
  • Relieve
  • Relieved

But

  • Receive
  • Deceive
  • Receipt
  • Conceit
  • Conceive
  • Deceit
  • Conceivable
  • Inconceivable
  • Perceive
  • Ceiling

Nevertheless, there are many exceptions to the I before E except after C rule.

I Before E Except After C Exceptions List/ I Before E Exceptions

i before e except after c exceptions
I before e except after c exceptions
  • Atheist
  • Beige
  • Being
  • Caffeine
  • Canoeing

  • Counterfeit
  • Deign
  • Eiderdown
  • Eight
  • Either

  • Feign
  • Feint
  • Foreign
  • Forfeit
  • Freight

  • Height
  • Heifer
  • Heinous
  • Heir
  • Inveigh

  • Inveigle
  • Leisure
  • Monotheism
  • Neigh
  • Neighbour

  • Sleigh
  • Their
  • Sovereign
  • Surfeit
  • Veil
  • Vein
  • Weigh
  • Weight
  • Weir
  • Weird

There are many words that break the I before E, except after C rule. Here are some examples of words that have E before I not after C.

i before e exceptions

Please note that ie can even come after c. Here are some examples:

  • Species
  • Sufficient
  • Society
  • Glacier
  • Policies
  • Ancient
  • Concierge
  • Fancies
  • Conscience
  • Efficient
Words with I before EI before E except after CI before E except after C exceptions
AchieveReceiveConcierge
YieldCeilingEfficient
TierPerceiveConscience
ChiefDeceitAncient
RelieveConceiveFancies
ReliefConceivableSpecies
RelievedInconceivableSociety
GriefReceiptSufficient
BelieveDeceiveGlacier

Examples Sentences with I Before E Words

  • Achievers can always achieve high achievements.
  • I do not believe in ghosts.
  • I was relieved that my parents arrived safe after a long trip.
  • She got married two years ago.
  • My brother is extremely well-qualified for the job.
  • The thief was seen as he was climbing over the wall.
  • I am not worried about him. I am sure he can take care of himself.
  • You have put on a lot of weight. I think you should go on a diet.
  • All our customers were satisfied with our services.
  • I watch American movies on the weekend.
  • Could you be quiet, please?
  • All my friends are friendly.
  • The interview was successful.
  • He was experienced enough to get the job.
  • He has been telling lies about you.
  • We are waiting impatiently for them to arrive.
  • He wears a tie all the time
  • Write your name on the back of this piece of paper.
  • The crowd cheered as the two teams ran onto the field.
  • He died of a cancer.

Find some important tips on how to use its and it’s here.

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