The rule in the English language states that "i" before "e" except after "c" Wouldn't science be spelled wrong then...considering its grammatically incorrect...
2007-01-24 12:29:53 · 10 answers · asked by system error 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
No - because of the syllable break between the 'i' and the 'e'.
2007-01-24 12:38:59 · answer #1 · answered by Siouxxi M 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, there are many exceptions to many things in this world. That's why we have the words 'either', 'except' and 'unless..' It's strange to me the way so many words sound just alike, but are spelled differently and mean something completely different. Then there's the rule about changing the 'y' to 'i' and adding 'es'. How about the one where you add just an 's' or add 'es' on the end when there's more than one. And the rule about the silent 'e' on the end of a word makes the preceding vowel a 'long 'a,e,i,o or u'. Well what about the word 'above'? It has an 'e' on the end...Oh, another exception to the rule. Many things change over the years, but the spelling of certain words don't change just because they break the 'rule.'
2007-01-24 21:09:08 · answer #2 · answered by scaredeycat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who knows...besides as with everything, especially the English language, rules are meant to be broken. As well, in 'i before e except after c', there is also the exception of 'and when sounding like a as in neighbour'
good luck solving this mystery!
2007-01-24 20:39:59 · answer #3 · answered by hahtnamas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are always exceptions to every rule, and this one is no exception. (lol). In the English Language, there are countless exceptions to all of the rules. There are even words spelled wrong in the dictionary.
2007-01-24 21:20:28 · answer #4 · answered by handsome_one09 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Science" doesn't come under the rule because it's two syllables, not one. "Sci" and "ence" - sci-ence.
But the rule does have exceptions.
Let's see, the rule is: "I before e, except after c, or sounding like a, as in neighbor or weigh."
"With the following exceptions: Neither financier seized either species of weird leisure."
Isn't English spelling fun?
M
E
2007-01-25 01:53:57 · answer #5 · answered by Martha E 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"science" comes from the Latin word scientia which means knowledge. Latin doesn't have the same grammar rules as English so English words that come from Latin don't necessarily folllow English rules. Changing the spelling would change the meaning.
2007-01-25 14:10:11 · answer #6 · answered by purpleprism2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are exceptions to the rule.
2007-01-24 20:48:08 · answer #7 · answered by DramaQueen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why the i and e are before the c not after...
2007-01-24 20:37:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's pretty interesting...I never noticed that before. (Don't have an answer though).
It think the person who said something about the syllable break is probably correct.
2007-01-24 23:59:54 · answer #9 · answered by LolaCorolla 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ouuu, good catch.
2007-01-25 00:03:59 · answer #10 · answered by FunnieBunnie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋