Many persons find it difficult or impossible to recollect the relative position of e and i, in such words as receive, believe, etc. If they will bear in mind the following rule, it may save them the trouble of referring to a dictionary for this point.
When the derivative noun ends in tion, the verb is spelled with ei: thus,—
| Conception | Conceive |
| Deception | Deceive |
| Reception | Receive |
But when the noun does not end in tion, the verb is spelled with ie: as,—
| Belief | Believe |