These two words sound nearly the same, but they do almost opposite jobs.
- Accept means to take something or agree to it.
- Except means leaving out: everyone except Sam.
Accept: take it in
Accept is a verb. You accept something that is offered, or you agree that something is true.
She accepted the gift with a big smile.
The shop accepts cards, but not cheques.
Please accept my apology.
He accepted that he had made a mistake.
You can accept a present, an invitation, a payment, an idea or a rule.
Except: leave it out
Except usually means not including something or someone. It most often shows up before the thing that is left out.
Everyone came to the party except Leo.
We open every day except Sunday.
I like all fruit except bananas.
The room was empty except for a cat.
Notice that you can swap in but not or apart from, and the sentence still works.
Easy way to tell them apart
Say it in your head with a different word:
- Does take or agree to fit? Use accept. She took the gift = She accepted the gift.
- Does not including fit? Use except. Everyone but Leo came = Everyone except Leo came.
💡 The OddLingo Trick
Accept has an A, like agreeing and award: you take it in.
Except has an X, like a cross on a list: you cross it out.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Taking something? Use accept.
❌ I except your invitation with thanks.
✅ I accept your invitation with thanks.
Leaving something out? Use except.
❌ Everyone accept Leo is here.
✅ Everyone except Leo is here.
Not a verb for "agree".
❌ She excepted the prize.
✅ She accepted the prize.
Good to know
In fast speech the two words are almost twins. Accept is said ak-SEPT and except is said ek-SEPT (or ik-SEPT). Only the first small sound is different, so the spelling does most of the work.
They are the same kind of pair as affect vs effect and quiet vs quite: look-alike words with different jobs.
💬 In a conversation
Sam: Do you accept my offer?
Mia: I accept everything except the price.
Sam: That is the whole offer.
Mia: Then I accept your offer to think about it.