8 Annoying Rules with Sneaky Exceptions

Embarking on the journey of learning English can sometimes feel like deciphering a cryptic code. In this article, we’ll dive into the exasperating aspects of English, focusing on eight rules that, much to learners’ dismay, come with pesky exceptions.

1. Rule: ‘I before E, except after C.’

• Example: Believe, receive.
• Exception: Beware of the ‘cie’ words like ‘science’ and ‘species.’

2. Rule: Use ‘A’ before words starting with a consonant and ‘An’ before words starting with a vowel.

• Example: A cat, an apple.
• Exception: Brace yourself for words like ‘hour’ or ‘honor,’ where ‘an’ defies its usual partner.

3. Rule: Double the final consonant before adding ‘-ed’ or ‘-ing.’

• Example: Stop → Stopped, Run → Running.
• Exception: Cue the frustration with final ‘x,’ ‘w,’ and ‘y,’ refusing to conform, as seen in ‘fix’ (fixed) and ‘play’ (playing).

4. Rule: Use ‘The’ with singular and plural nouns.

• Example: The car, the cars.
• Exception: Brace for confusion with non-count nouns like ‘water,’ where ‘the’ takes an unexpected leave.

5. Rule: Past tense of regular verbs ends in ‘-ed.’

• Example: Walk → Walked, Talk → Talked.
• Exception: Enter the realm of irregular verbs like ‘go’ (went) and ‘eat’ (ate), where predictability takes a back seat.

6. Rule: Use ‘Whose’ for possession.

• Example: Whose book is this?
• Exception: Groan at the ‘who’s’ lurking around, masquerading as ‘whose’ in contractions.

7. Rule: Comparative adjectives end in ‘-er.’

• Example: Tall → Taller.
• Exception: Grit your teeth as adjectives with two or more syllables defy the ‘-er’ tradition, opting for the ambiguous ‘more’ or ‘less.’

8. Rule: Use ‘Must’ for strong necessity.

• Example: I must finish my homework.
• Exception: Roll your eyes at the interchangeable use of ‘have to,’ snickering at the supposed simplicity of ‘must.’

English, with its peculiarities and vexing exceptions, can indeed be a source of frustration for learners. Embrace the challenge, vent your linguistic grievances, and know that mastering these quirks will make your language journey all the more triumphant.