Study the word list: ie words Study
Learn using Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check: ie words Learn
Spelling Games: ie words Games
Listen and Spell test: ie words Test
Printable worksheets and activities: ie words Print
Handwriting worksheets: ie words Write

Study the word list: ie words

Have you heard of the 'i' before 'e' except after 'c' English spelling rule?

If you look closely at the words in this list, you will notice that they all include the spelling pattern ie to spell the long /e/ sound. You might also notice that none of these words have the letter ‘c’ directly before the ie pattern.

The 'i' before 'e' except after 'c' rule is a good way of getting started with spelling the long /e/ sound, but like with every spelling rule it has its exceptions!

Once you are confident with the words in the list, you can move onto rulebreakers and the six other ways to spell the long /e/ in English.

field The sheep were let loose in the field.
brief The instructions were too brief.
chief The tribe elected a chief.
grief His death caused terrible grief.
relief There was great relief at the rescue.
mischief That child is getting up to mischief again.
niece My brother's daughter is my niece.
piece Please may I have a piece of cake?
siege The castle was under siege.
priest The priest blessed the people.
fierce The tiger was fierce.
pierce Pierce the lid before cooking.
achieve He wanted to achieve good grades in school.
believe I can't believe she has married him.
relieved She was relieved to hear her father was better.
retrieve The dog ran to retrieve the ball.
diesel This truck's engine runs on diesel fuel.
hygiene Good hygiene keeps germs away.

Learn more about these words in Unit 21. The 'I' before 'e' rule – does it work?

Use the list: ie words

'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check' spelling exercise for ie words Learn this spelling list using the 'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check' activity.

Look
field
Say
Cover
Write
Check

Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check

How to use:

Look and read the word.

Say the word. Click the speaker icon.

Cover the word.

Write the word.

Check your spelling.

field
brief
chief
grief
relief
mischief
niece
piece
siege
priest
fierce
pierce
achieve
believe
relieved
retrieve
diesel
hygiene

English spelling games Spelling games using the word list: ie words

Spring spelling gameSpringtime Spelling
Spring into spelling!

Egg hunt spelling gameEgg Hunt
Crack the eggs!

Word search Word Search, small
The classic English word game.
Print version

Against the clock Against the Clock
Spelling 'against the clock'.

Mayan Temple spelling gameMayan Temple
Try the temple spelling puzzle.

Monkey Business spelling gameMonkey Business
It's bananas!

More games

Spelling test: ie words Test yourself using the 'Listen and Spell' spelling test.

Worksheets and activities Print worksheets and activities: ie words

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Handwriting worksheets: ie words Handwriting worksheets: ie words


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This word list was created by Spellzone. View more Spellzone course lists or curriculum word lists.

Other lists from Unit 21. The 'I' before 'e' rule – does it work?

cei words
ei saying /ay/ This list contains British English spellings
ei saying /ay/ This list contains American English spellings
ie and ei words: rulebreakers

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