Accept vs. Except: What's the Difference?

Quick Answer

accept = verb — to receive, agree to, or take something

except = preposition/conjunction — excluding, apart from, but

Explanation

ACCEPT (verb)

To receive, agree to, or approve

accept + object

"She accepted the invitation."

"Please accept my apology."

"He accepted the challenge."

EXCEPT (preposition)

Excluding, apart from, but

everyone/all/everything + except + noun

"Everyone passed except Tom."

"I eat everything except fish."

"Open daily except Sundays."

Memory trick: Accept = Acquire (you take it in). Except = Exclude (you leave it out — like "exit" or "exclude").

Examples

I accept full responsibility. (verb)
All students passed except one. (excluding)
We accept cash and credit cards. (verb)
The store is open every day except Monday. (excluding)
I can't except this kind of behaviour.
Everyone was invited accept John.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect: Will you except my offer?

Correct: Will you accept my offer? (accept = verb, to agree to)

Incorrect: I like all vegetables accept broccoli.

Correct: I like all vegetables except broccoli. (except = excluding)

Practice

Choose the correct word:

"Everyone _____ Maria decided to _____ the new contract."

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