Accept vs. Except: What’s the difference between these 2 words?

Accept vs except: Which word to use and when? If you’re looking for some answers when it comes to English grammar and vocabulary, then keep on reading! We’ll give you the rundown on accept/except and then you can practice what you’ve learned. Don’t be confused about this word pair any longer!

Difference Between Accept and Except

Accept and except are very often misused. There is only a slight difference in the pronunciation, which makes it even more confusing! It is easy to see even native English speakers confusing the two words. However, accept and except are often used in writing and speaking, so you want to know the exact difference to understand better and communicate clearly. Let’s begin with the pronunciation difference: accept vs except.

Accept vs Except: Pronounciation

These two words only have a slight difference in pronunciation which makes them confusing. Focus on the first vowel sound of each word. “Accept” has a sharp and short “a” like in “apple,” whereas the first sound of “except” has an “e” like in “egg.”

Accept: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

accept: A verb that means to take or receive something (willingly, with permission).

Examples: 

• Most people accept that the theory of evolution is true.
• I accepted the job offer. I’ll start in two weeks.
• His parents accepted his decision to not go to college.
• I can’t accept his apology. What he did was just so bad.

Not correct: 

I like all vegetables accept carrots.

Except: Meaning, Usage and Examples

except: Used as a preposition to mean not including or other than; not included, something not a part of a grouping. Also used as a verb but not commonly (usually in legal documents).

Examples: 

• That restaurant is open every day except for Mondays.
• The letter is great except for one thing—there are a few spelling mistakes. Use spell check on your computer.
• He does nothing except complain. I’m so tired of it.
• I have to work every day except for Tuesdays.

Not correct: 

Can you just except my decision? I’m not going to change my mind.

Accepted vs Excepted

Accepted means approved, recognized, agreed, or received.

Excepted means excluded and left out.

Accepted in a sentence:

• Example 1: I accepted the job offer from company X.
• Example 2: She got accepted into the University of Toronto.

Excepted in a sentence:

• Example: An entrance fee will be charged to every visitor, but children are excepted.

Excepting or Accepting

Excepting means not including or leaving out something or someone.

Accepting means allowing or approving something or someone. Accepting can also mean considering something as normal.

Except vs Accept: Practice

1. Are you going to _____ the revised contract?
2. That house is good, _____ it only has one bathroom.
3. We’re open for lunch, _____ on Tuesdays.
4. Can you _____ my package for me, please? It’s going to be delivered on my day off.
5. Please _____ my sincere apology.
6. He’s a great employee _____ he always shows up a few minutes late.

Accept vs Except: Answers

1. accept
2. except
3. except
4. accept
5. accept
6. except

Grammar Exercise for ESL

If you are an ESL teacher, and you think your students need more practice with accept vs except (or other confusing words), try these activities. Practicing with activities and games will help you remember the differences between confusing words like accept and except.

• Vocabulary Auction
• Memory Circle Grammar Game
• Sentence Building
• Puzzle Finder

Except vs Accept: Speaking Practice

After checking your fill-in-the-blank answers, try speaking each sentence to a friend. Or, record yourself speaking each sentence on your smartphone. Then listen and see if your pronunciation is clear and easy to understand.

Want to Find Out More?

You can find hundreds of confusing English words and word pairs in this book: Most Confusing Words in English Explained. Pick up a copy and ace your next TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam! Find out everything you need to know about it right here:

More Confusing English Words like Accept vs Except

To improve your English vocabulary, check out more confusing words:

• access vs excess
• already vs all ready vs allready 
• advice vs advise 
• affect vs effect
• Is irregardless really a word?

FAQs About Accept vs Except

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about accept and except.

Is except a preposition?

Except can be a preposition. When except is used as a preposition, it means but.

Is an offer accepted or excepted?

An offer is always accepted, not excepted. Accepted means to be received or approved.

Is except and accept the same?

Excpet and accept are two different words with different meanings. Except is mostly used as a preposition that means to leave out or exclude something or someone. Accept is a verb that means to take, approve, or receive something or someone.

Accept vs Except: Join the Conversation

Do you have any tips or tricks for remembering the difference between these two words: except vs accept? Which words are the most confusing for ESL students? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

Last update on 2024-08-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API