“Accept” Vs “Except”: Meaning and Examples

Have you ever found yourself scratching your head, trying to remember which word to use in a sentence – “accept” or “except”? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! These two words are often confused because they sound similar and have overlapping meanings, but they’re actually used in very different ways.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the definitions, grammatical functions, and examples of usage for both “accept” and “except”. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to easily differentiate between the two and never mix them up again!

Let’s dive in.

What does “Accept” mean?

“Accept” is a verb that means to receive, agree to, or take something that is offered.

For example:

• I accept your apology.
• The college accepts applicants until the end of the month.
• She has accepted the job offer.

When used in a sentence, “accept” typically follows this structure: “Subject + verb + object”.

For example: “She accepts the gift”.

What does “Except” mean?

On the other hand, “except” is a preposition that indicates exclusion or the exception to a rule.

For example:

• Everyone came to the party except for John.
• I like all fruits except bananas.
• Nothing can stop her except her own fears.

When used in a sentence, “except” typically follows this structure: “Subject + verb + preposition + object”.

For example: “She came to the party except John”.

How to remember the difference between “Accept” and “Except”?

Now that we’ve gone over the definitions and uses of “accept” and “except”, let’s talk about some tips to help you remember the difference between the two.

Here are some simple tricks:

• Remember that “accept” is a verb, while “except” is a preposition.
• Think of “accept” as something you “take” or “receive”.
• Think of “except” as something you “exclude” or “leave out”.

It’s also important to know some common mistakes to avoid. Here are a few to keep in mind:

• Don’t use “accept” when you mean “except”.
• Don’t use “except” when you mean “accept”.
• Make sure to use “accept” in the correct verb form and “except” in the correct preposition form.

Exercise

Finally, to reinforce your understanding, try practicing with some exercises. Here are a few to get you started:

• Write 5 sentences using “accept” in the correct form.
• Write 5 sentences using “except” in the correct form.

Try this quiz!

1. Can you _____ my apologies for not being able to attend the meeting? (accept/except)
2. She only eats vegetables and fruit, _____ for the occasional piece of chicken. (accept/except)
3. They _____ the award for best customer service. (accept/except)
4. I would like to _____ the invitation to the dinner party. (accept/except)
5. The store is closed on Sundays, _____ for emergencies. (accept/except)

Answers:

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

By practicing regularly, you’ll soon be able to confidently differentiate between “accept” and “except”.

Recommended Reads

1. Merriam-Webster’s definition of “accept”
2. Merriam-Webster’s definition of “except”
3. English Grammar Rules: The difference between “accept” and “except”
4. How to Use “Accept” and “Except” Correctly
5. The Ultimate Guide to “Accept” vs. “Except”

These links provide further clarification and examples to help you better understand the difference between “accept” and “except”.

And there you have it! I hope this article has helped you understand the difference between “accept” and “except”. Don’t be afraid to bookmark this page or share it with others who may be struggling with the same issue. Thank you for reading!