By the end of this activity you will be able to: Choose the correct ‘ie’ or ‘ei’ spelling when creating words.

There is often a lot of confusion about spelling words containing ie and ei. Just remember this rhyme:

i before e, except after c
when the sound is ee

So, if the sound rhymes with ee you use ie, unless there is a c. Then it’s ei.

For example:
conceit – the sound is “ee” but it follows a c, so you use ei.
science – the sound is not “ee” even though it follows a c, so you use ie.

There are some exceptions which you must learn: seize, weird, either.

Select the correct “ie” or “ei” spelling.