I before E, except after C
English
Alternative forms
- i before e, except after c
Etymology
Formed because of the rhyme between the letters E and C.
Proverb
I before E, except after C
- (orthography, mnemonic) In English words that contain the letters I and E together, the I tends to come before the E (ie), except in cases when the two are preceded by the letter C, in which case the E comes before the I (cei).
Usage notes
There are some words that do not follow this formula.