ie, ei, ough and silent letters

For grown-ups: this lesson in words

Years 5 and 6 · English

ie, ei, ough and silent letters: I can spell words with ie, ei, ough and silent letters.

1. Here is the word chief. Say it slowly and listen for the ee sound.

   The middle tile is ie. In chief, the ee sound is spelt i before e.

   Blend the sounds together: chief.

   Most words spell this sound i before e, like chief. Remember: i before e.

   Picture: Sound tiles ch, ie and f blend into the word "chief".

2. Now the word receive. The first letter e is quick and quiet. Listen for the ee sound again.

   This time the ee sound comes straight after the letter c.

   After the letter c, the two letters swap round: e before i. The tile is ei.

   i before e, except after the letter c: receive.

   Picture: Sound tiles r, e, c, ei and ve blend into the word "receive".

3. Your turn: Which word is spelt correctly? It means to think that something is true.

   Choose one:

   • beleive
   • believe
   • beleave

   Answer

   The answer: believe

   believe. There is no letter c, so it is i before e.

   Picture: Sound tiles b, e, l, ie and ve blend into the word "believe".

Words to know

silent letter:

A letter you write but do not say, like the letter k in knight.

exception:

A word that breaks the rule.

letter string:

A group of letters that often go together, like ough.