Spelling Rules and Patterns

Good spelling is a mark of careful, confident writing. In the SET Stage 1 comprehension, some MCQ options rely on your ability to spot correctly or incorrectly spelled words. In Stage 2, accurate spelling throughout your extended writing contributes to your overall mark. This lesson teaches you the key spelling rules and patterns that will help you get more answers right and write with greater accuracy.

---

Rule 1: i Before e, Except After c

This is one of the most famous spelling rules:

i before e: believe, achieve, chief, field, shield

Except after c (when the sound is "ee"): receive, ceiling, conceive, deceive, receipt

Important Exceptions

Some words break this rule. You need to learn these by heart:

Word	Why It Breaks the Rule
weird	"ei" without a "c" before it
seize	"ei" without a "c" before it
their	"ei" without a "c" before it
protein	"ei" without a "c" before it
neither	"ei" without a "c" before it