The Great Debate: Accept or Except?

Understanding the Difference: Accept vs. Except

Do you know the difference between accept and except? These words might sound alike, but they mean different things. Let’s learn about them!

History

Accept comes from the Latin word “acceptare,” which means “to receive willingly.” It has been in English since the Middle Ages.

Except has its roots in the Latin word “excipere,” meaning “to take out” or “leave out.” It also came into English during the Middle Ages.

How to Use “Accept”

Accept is a verb. It means to agree to receive something or to say yes to something.

• She will accept the gift from her friend.
• Will you accept the job offer?
• He accepted the apology with a smile.
• They will accept your help gladly.
• Do you accept credit cards here?

How to Use “Except”

Except is a preposition or a conjunction. It means to leave out or not include something.

• I like all fruits except bananas.
• Everyone is here except John.
• She did all the homework except the last part.
• We open every day except Sunday.
• He answered all the questions except one.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Here’s a simple trick: Accept means to receive or agree. Both words have the letter “A.” Except means to exclude or leave out. Both words have the letter “E.”

Summary

Remember, accept is about saying yes or receiving something. Except is about leaving something out. Use the trick with the letters “A” and “E” to help you choose the right word. With practice, you will get it!