If unsure about ie or ei, if the seem in the vowel is as in brief /i:/, we spell it ie; but following the letter c, we spell it ei: …For illustration, "apple" becomes "apples"; "tree" turns to "trees"; "book" adjustments to "guides"; "portray" will become "paintings"; and "sign" modifications to "alerts."Dr. Louisa Moats, a professional in the ar