Sound-alike words
Accept vs. Except
Accept is a verb that means to receive or agree to something. Except is usually a preposition that means not including or other than. You accept an invitation; everyone came except Leo.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| accept | verb | to take something that is offered, or to agree that something is true, fair or allowed |
| except | preposition | not including someone or something; other than |
| verb | to leave someone or something out, mainly in formal or legal writing |
Accept
verb: to take something that is offered, or to agree that something is true, fair or allowed
- Ana accepted the job offer after a day of thinking.
- The corner store does not accept checks.
Except
preposition: not including someone or something; other than
- The museum is open every day except Monday.
- I like all vegetables except raw onions.
verb: to leave someone or something out, mainly in formal or legal writing
- Members who joined this year are excepted from the fee.
- The rule applies to all staff, with nurses on night shifts excepted.
How to remember the difference
Accept starts with ac, like acquire: you take something in. Except starts with ex, like exit or exclude: something is left out.
Good to know
Except can also act as a conjunction in everyday speech, as in I would come, except I have to work early. The verb sense of except (to leave out) is formal and fairly rare.
Spot the mistake
Please
exceptaccept my apology for the late reply.Correct: Please accept my apology for the late reply.
Everyone
acceptexcept Omar finished the test on time.Correct: Everyone except Omar finished the test on time.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. Will the shop a credit card for such a small purchase?
Answer: accept. The word is an action meaning to take or agree to something, so it is accept.
2. All the cookies were gone one broken piece.
Answer: except. The meaning is not including, so the preposition except is correct.