Accept vs. Except: Receiving vs. Excluding
The Distinction
- Accept = to receive, agree to, or take willingly (verb)
- Except = excluding, other than, but not (preposition/conjunction)
Accept: Take It In
Use “accept” when receiving or agreeing:
- “I accept your apology.” ✓
- “She accepted the job offer.” ✓
- “Do you accept credit cards?” ✓
- “He couldn’t accept the truth.” ✓
Think: saying yes, receiving, welcoming.
Except: Leave It Out
Use “except” when excluding something:
- “Everyone except Tom was invited.” ✓
- “I work every day except Sunday.” ✓
- “I’d go, except I’m too tired.” ✓
- “All sizes except large are available.” ✓
Think: “not including” or “but not.”
The Substitution Test
Try replacing with “receive” → if it works, use accept Try replacing with “excluding” or “but not” → if it works, use except
“Please _____ my resignation.” → “Please receive my resignation.” ✓ → accept
“Everyone _____ Maria attended.” → “Everyone excluding Maria attended.” ✓ → except
Memory Tricks
- Accept = Acquire (take in)
- Except = Exclude (leave out)
Both pairs share their first two letters.
The Part of Speech Clue
Accept is always a verb (an action):
- “I accept” / “She accepted” / “They will accept”
Except is usually a preposition or conjunction:
- “Everyone except me” (preposition)
- “I would go, except I’m busy” (conjunction)
“Except” can be a verb meaning “to exclude,” but this is rare:
- “Present company excepted” (formal)
Common Mistakes
Wrong: “I except your invitation.” Right: “I accept your invitation.”
Wrong: “Everyone accept me knows.” Right: “Everyone except me knows.”
Examples Side by Side
| Accept (receive) | Except (exclude) |
|---|---|
| Accept responsibility | Everyone except John |
| Accept the terms | Except for the weather |
| Widely accepted | All except one |
| Accept defeat | I’d agree, except… |
A Tricky Phrase
“With the exception of” uses the noun form of “except”:
- “I like all fruits, with the exception of bananas.”
This relates to except (excluding), not accept.
Remember
- Accept = receive, agree to (verb—taking in)
- Except = excluding, but not (preposition—leaving out)