Accept vs Except: Understanding the Difference

"Accept" and "except" sound similar and are often confused, but they have completely different meanings. This guide will help you understand when to use each word correctly.

Quick Answer

• Accept = to receive or agree to something (verb)
• Except = excluding or but (preposition/conjunction)

Accept: Definition and Usage

Accept is a verb that means to receive something willingly, to agree to something, or to believe something is true.

Common Meanings of Accept:

1. To receive willingly

   • She accepted the gift with gratitude.
   • The university accepted my application.

2. To agree to or approve

   • I accept your apology.
   • They accepted the terms and conditions.

3. To believe or recognize as true

   • We must accept the facts.
   • It's hard to accept that summer is over.

4. To take on (a responsibility)

   • He accepted the job offer.
   • She accepted the challenge.

Accept in Different Tenses:

• Present: accept/accepts
• Past: accepted
• Present participle: accepting
• Past participle: accepted

Examples of "Accept":

• Will you accept my friend request?
• The store accepts credit cards.
• I accepted the invitation to the wedding.
• She finally accepted that she needed help.
• The company accepts applications until Friday.
• He accepted responsibility for the mistake.

Except: Definition and Usage

Except is a preposition or conjunction that means "not including" or "but." It's used to show exclusion or contrast.

Common Meanings of Except:

1. Not including; excluding

   • Everyone came except John.
   • The store is open every day except Sunday.

2. Other than; but

   • I have nothing to say except thank you.
   • She wants nothing except the truth.

3. Unless (when used as a conjunction)

   • I would go except (that) I'm too tired.

Examples of "Except":

• All the students passed except two.
• I like all vegetables except Brussels sprouts.
• The museum is open daily except Mondays.
• Everyone was invited except me.
• We're all going except Sarah—she has to work.
• I would help you, except I don't have time.

Key Differences

Accept	Except
Verb	Preposition/Conjunction
Means "to receive"	Means "excluding"
Action word	Shows exclusion
Accept = Action	Except = Exclude

Memory Tricks

1. The "AC" vs "EX" Trick

• ACcept = ACtion (receiving or agreeing)
• EXcept = EXclude (leaving out)

2. Substitution Test

• If you can replace the word with "receive" or "agree to," use accept
• If you can replace the word with "excluding" or "but," use except

3. Sentence Structure

• Accept needs an object: accept something
• Except is followed by what's excluded: except someone/something

Common Mistakes and Corrections

✗ Incorrect:

1. I will except your apology. (Wrong!)
2. Everyone came accept Tom. (Wrong!)
3. She excepted the award. (Wrong!)
4. All courses are free accept one. (Wrong!)

✓ Correct:

1. I will accept your apology.
2. Everyone came except Tom.
3. She accepted the award.
4. All courses are free except one.

More Examples in Context

Accept Examples:

• Business: The company decided to accept the merger proposal.
• Social: Please accept my sincere condolences.
• Education: Harvard accepts only the best students.
• Personal: I accept you for who you are.
• Technology: Does this website accept PayPal?
• Legal: The defendant accepted a plea bargain.

Except Examples:

• Time: The office is closed every day except weekdays.
• Group: All team members attended except the captain.
• Food: I'll eat anything except mushrooms.
• Location: We've visited every state except Alaska.
• Condition: I would go except I have no money.
• Comparison: Nobody knows except you and me.

Using Both Words Together

Sometimes you can use both words in the same sentence:

• I will accept any answer except "I don't know."
• She accepts all forms of payment except checks.
• They accepted everyone's application except mine.
• The teacher will accept late work from everyone except students who didn't email her.

Related Words and Phrases

Accept:

• Acceptable (adjective) - satisfactory; allowable
• Acceptance (noun) - the act of accepting
• Accepted (adjective) - generally approved or recognized
• Accepting (adjective) - tolerant and willing to accept

Examples:

• Your behavior is not acceptable.
• She gave her acceptance speech.
• It's an accepted practice in the industry.
• He's very accepting of different cultures.

Except:

• Exception (noun) - a case to which a rule doesn't apply
• Exceptional (adjective) - unusually good; outstanding
• Excepting (preposition) - except for; excluding

Examples:

• You're the exception to the rule.
• She did an exceptional job.
• All present, excepting the director.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word for each sentence:

1. I cannot _____ gifts from clients.
2. The store is open every day _____ Christmas.
3. Will you _____ this position?
4. Everyone passed _____ two students.
5. She _____ the award graciously.
6. All items are on sale _____ electronics.
7. Please _____ my apologies.
8. I like all seasons _____ winter.
9. The hotel _____ pets.
10. Everyone arrived on time _____ John.

Answers:

1. accept, 2) except, 3) accept, 4) except, 5) accepted, 6) except, 7) accept, 8) except, 9) accepts, 10) except

Common Phrases

With "Accept":

• Accept responsibility
• Accept the consequences
• Accept defeat
• Accept an offer
• Accept criticism
• Hard to accept
• Willing to accept

With "Except":

• Except for
• Except when
• Except that
• Everyone except
• Nothing except
• All except
• Except in cases

Summary

Accept (verb):

• Means to receive, agree to, or approve
• Action word—you DO something
• Think: ACtion = ACcept

Except (preposition):

• Means excluding, but, other than
• Shows something is left out
• Think: EXclude = EXcept

The easiest way to remember: If you're talking about receiving or agreeing to something, use accept. If you're talking about leaving something out or making an exception, use except.

Conclusion

While "accept" and "except" may sound similar, their meanings are completely different. Accept is about receiving or agreeing, while except is about excluding or leaving out. By remembering the simple trick—ACcept = ACtion and EXcept = EXclude—you'll never confuse these words again!