accept
Origin of accept
words often confused with accept
OTHER WORDS FROM accept
pre·ac·cept, verbre·ac·cept, verb (used with object)WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH accept
accept , except (see usage note at the current entry)Words nearby accept
ACCEPT VS. EXCEPT
What’s the difference between accept and except?
Accept is a common word with many meanings, most of which involve receiving something, taking something on, or putting up with something. Except is most commonly used as a preposition meaning excluding or but, as in Everyone was invited except me, or as a conjunction meaning but for the fact that, as in I would have called, except I lost my phone.
Except can also be used as a verb meaning to exclude, as in the common phrase present company excepted, but its verb use is much less common. In contrast, accept is always a verb.
To remember the difference in the spelling between accept and except, remember that except shares the prefix ex- with exclude, which is fitting since except is commonly used in situations in which someone or something has been excluded.
Accept, on the other hand, is often used in situations in which something is acquired.
Here’s an example of accept and except used correctly in the same sentence.
Example: I usually accept your excuses, except this time I know they’re not true.
Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between accept and except.
Quiz yourself on accept vs. except!
Should accept or except be used in the following sentence?
The cake was great _____ for the icing, which was a little too sweet.