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The 'ei' in the word 'freight' sounds like 'ay'.

Spelling: ie or ei?

The “ie” and “ei” spelling rule can be confusing. This KS2 English quiz helps pupils remember which one to use in different words.

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Fascinating Fact:

“Receive” follows the rule perfectly, like a well-behaved pupil who always does their homework.

In KS2 English, pupils learn the spelling rule “i before e except after c.” This means words like field and chief use “ie,” while receive and ceiling use “ei” after the letter c. There are some exceptions, but learning this rule helps with many common spellings.

Key Terms

Vowel Pair: Two vowels that work together to make one sound in a word.
Rule: A helpful pattern that shows how most words are spelled.
Exception: A word that does not follow the usual rule or pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is the “i before e except after c” rule?

This rule reminds you to spell “ie” in most words, but use “ei” after c, such as in receive or ceiling.

Are there exceptions to the rule?

Yes. Words like weird, height, and ancient break the rule, so they need to be learned by memory.

How can I remember when to use “ie” or “ei”?

Say the rhyme “i before e except after c,” and remember to look for the letter c before choosing “ei.” Practice makes perfect.

Try These Related Quizzes

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

1 .

Spell the missing words correctly.
The horse pulling the ____ began to ____.

sliegh, niegh

sleigh, niegh

sliegh, neigh

sleigh, neigh

Remember: 'ay' sounds need e before i (sleigh and neigh).

2 .

Spell the missing words correctly.
She could actually see the quick pulse in her ____ after her sprint across the ____.

veins, field

viens, field

veins, feild

viens, feild

Veins has the 'ay' sound.

3 .

Spell the missing words correctly.
They were ____ to find out that there would be no ____ lecture today.

releived, hygeine

relieved, hygeine

releived, hygiene

relieved, hygiene

'Relieved' and 'hygiene' both follow the i before e rule.

4 .

Spell the missing words correctly.
His mum couldn't ____ it was his ____ birthday.

believe, eighteenth

beleive, eighteenth

believe, ieghteenth

beleive, ieghteenth

Eighteenth has the 'ay' sound.

5 .

Spell the missing words correctly.
The ____ was surprised to ____ an unexpected parcel in the post.

priest, recieve

preist, recieve

priest, receive

preist, receive

Remember: i before e (priest), except after c (receive).

6 .

Spell the missing words correctly.
____ you will ____ it or you will not!

Either, beleive

Iether, beleive

Either, believe

Iether, believe

'Either' is an exception, as is 'neither'.

7 .

Spell the missing words correctly.
He remembered to step carefully in the loft because the ____ could not hold his ____.

cieling, weight

ceiling, weight

cieling, wieght

ceiling, wieght

Weight follows the 'ay' rule.

8 .

Spell the missing words correctly.
The receptionist asked ____ father for his ____.

thier, receipt

their, receipt

thier, reciept

their, reciept

Remember: i before e, except after c (receipt); 'their' follows the 'ay' rule.

9 .

Spell the missing words correctly.
The ____ executive opened the new ____ centre.

chief, leisure

cheif, leisure

chief, liesure

cheif, liesure

Remember: i before e (chief); 'leisure' is an exception.

10 .

Spell the missing words correctly.
Mrs. Harrison's ____ caught the ____.

niece, theif

neice, theif

niece, thief

neice, thief

These two words follow the rule.

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Spelling

Author: Sheri Smith (PhD English Literature, English Teacher & Quiz Writer)

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