2007-07-23 21:43:20 · 8 answers · asked by ♆Şрhĩņxy - Lost In Time. 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The full saying is "I before E, except after C, when the sound is EE."
If you stick to this, you won't find any exceptions. The sound in ancient is "i" as in tin, so the rule wouldn't apply.
2007-07-23 23:13:33 · answer #1 · answered by xanjo 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is "I before E, except after C" in the vast majority of cases so this is a helpful rule of thumb. There are really only about a dozen exceptions in general use. If you are interested, Wiki has a whole page on this rule, its applications and exceptions.
2007-07-23 22:20:32 · answer #2 · answered by Bethany 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We are also taught that there is an exception to every rule. Honestly, the English language is very difficult to learn. I can't imagine trying to learn it as a second language.
2007-07-23 21:47:45 · answer #3 · answered by snappygirl 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was taught...
I before E, except after C or sounding like A as in neighbor or weigh...but there are always exceptions...
2007-07-23 21:51:19 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
But the i and e aren't pronounced as one sound in ancient. It comes from the French "ancien". Also, every rule has its exceptions.
2007-07-23 21:50:23 · answer #5 · answered by neniaf 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ah, the exception to every rule, rule.
2007-07-24 00:48:43 · answer #6 · answered by gldnsilnc 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the I before E rule is weird.
2007-07-24 00:39:45 · answer #7 · answered by Pat S 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
because english is about the most messed up language in the known universe.
2007-07-23 21:52:31 · answer #8 · answered by googleplex 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋