I before e exceptions: when the rhyme breaks.
“I before e except after c” is a useful memory prompt, but it is not a complete spelling system. Use it as a clue—not a verdict.
The familiar examples
receive
After c, the letters are usually ei: receive, receipt, and deceive.
weird
Weird is a classic exception. It uses ei even though there is no c before it.
foreign
Foreign also uses ei, and its pronunciation does not make the spelling obvious.
Why the rhyme is not enough
English spelling reflects word history as well as sound. That is why height, their, science, and seize do not fit neatly into the rhyme. When a word feels uncertain, learn the whole word and a small reminder rather than forcing it into a rule.
A better way to practice
Make pairs: receive and believe; weird and friend; foreign and height. Comparing words that obey and break the rhyme helps you remember which one you are looking at.
Continue with the Top 100 commonly misspelled words, or study double-letter spelling words for another high-impact pattern.
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