# I before E, except after C --

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-before-e-except-after-c/103081>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 11, 2002, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-before-e-except-after-c/103081 "2002-04-11T19:22:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-before-e-except-after-c/103081/21 "2002-04-12T16:20:45Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Gary T \*  
> \*\*  
> The point is, the rule does not apply and is not meant to apply to every word that has I and E as consecutive letters. Number Six’s post addresses this.
> 
> _ **PROPERLY** _ applied, the rule has relatively few exceptions. \*\*

When _properly_ applied **any** rule is always right. You just “have” to know how to apply it.

Dear Johnny, the rule is "i before e except after C, except foreign words, words in which the ei makes two sounds, proper nouns are out, or when sounded like A as in weigh, let me see, or when the i is part of the ci digraph making the /ch/ sound, lets not forget the conflicting spelling rule (in words ending with the consonany-y, change y to i , Johnny Johnny are you awake !!! Stupid boy.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-before-e-except-after-c/103081.md?page=1)