Spelling ie and ei words

Homophones from this section.
If you confuse these words the computer spellchecker will not spot your mistake - so it is especially important to learn them.

peace - opposite of war piece - part, section	If the baby is asleep there is peace and quiet. Don't eat it all, leave me a piece.
A piece of pie

ceiling - roof of room sealing - closing, sticking

We've painted the ceiling white. This package needs sealing.

vale - valley veil - covering the face

There are many villages in the Vale of York. The bride wore a long white veil.

shake - move about sheikh - Arab chief (also sheik)

The earthquake made the ground shake. The sheikh rode a beautiful horse.

wait - stay weight - heaviness

Wait here until I get back. To win the cake you must guess its weight.

way - 1) road 2) manner weigh - measure weight

1) Which way shall we go? 2) I don't like the way you said that. How much do you weigh?

wade - walk through water weighed - past tense of weigh

We had to wade across the stream Mum weighed out a kilo of flour.

slay - kill in battle sleigh - sledge

Did St George slay a dragon? The sleigh was pulled by reindeer.

ate - past tense of eat eight - number 8

We ate far too much last night. I get to work at eight o'clock.

vain - 1) admiring oneself 2) useless vein - blood vessel vane - weather-vane

1) Some pop stars are very vain. 2) He waited in vain for her to call. The veins in my leg are swollen. There is a weather-vane on top of the church.

rain - wet weather reign - rule as king or queen reins - to lead a horse

The heavy rain caused some flooding. Queen Victoria reigned for 64 years. Hold the reins lightly.

seize - grab hold seas - water

The army have seized power. Don't sail a small boat in heavy seas.

tier - row, layer tear - cry

The wedding cake was in three tiers. The bride's mother was in tears.

bier - platform beer - drink

The coffin was carried on a bier. Beer is made from hops and malt.

feint - pretend attack faint - 1) not clear 2) pass out

The enemy was fooled by the feint. 1) His voice was very faint. 2) She will faint at the sight of blood.

deign - condescend Dane - from Denmark

Will the boss deign to attend our party? A Dane is a person from Demark.

air - atmosphere heir - successor	The scent of roses hung in the air. The Prince is heir to the throne.
He i r = He is ready to be King.

This completes the work on ie and ei words.

Go to the homophones test for Unit 21 (ie and ei) - FREE unit Go to the next Unit: Silent Letters - This unit is available when subscribed to spellzone Return to Program Contents

Unit 21 : Page 9 of 9