Accept vs Except: Which One Do You Need?
Accept is a verb meaning to receive or agree to. Except means apart from.
She will accept the offer. Everyone came except him.
The test that settles it
Ask whether you are leaving something out. If you are, it is except. If someone is taking something in, it is accept.
“Everyone ___ me” → you are excluding yourself, so except.
“I ___ your apology” → you are receiving it, so accept.
Except and exclude start the same way, and both leave something out.
Accept: the verb
To take something offered, or to agree that something is true. Always a verb.
They accepted the terms.
He would not accept payment.
I accept that I was wrong.
Swap in receive or agree to. If it works, accept.
Except: apart from
Usually a preposition, sometimes a conjunction. It removes one case from a general statement.
The shop opens daily except Sunday.
Everything was ready except the seating.
I would go, except that I am working.
Swap in apart from or other than. If it works, except.
Side by side
| Accept | Except |
|---|---|
| Verb | Preposition or conjunction |
| Takes something in | Leaves something out |
| Swaps with receive | Swaps with apart from |
| They accept cards. | All cards except Amex. |
The exception
Except can be a verb meaning to exclude, but it is rare and formal, and appears mostly in the fixed phrase present company excepted.
The related noun is exception, which is common: with one exception.
Where people get it wrong
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Please except my apology. | Please accept my apology. | You want it received. |
| Everyone accept Sara agreed. | Everyone except Sara agreed. | Sara is being left out. |
| We except all major cards. | We accept all major cards. | A shop takes cards in. |
| accept for the noise | except for the noise | A fixed phrase meaning apart from. |
Practice — choose the right word, then check yourself.
- Did they ___ the delivery?
- Every room ___ the attic has been painted.
- I cannot ___ those conditions.
- Nothing is missing ___ one page.
- She ___ the award on his behalf.
Show the answers
1. accept 2. except 3. accept 4. except 5. accepted
Frequently asked
Is it “except for” or just “except”?
Both work. Except for is more usual at the start of a sentence: Except for the rain, it was perfect.
What about expect?
A third word entirely — to anticipate something. It is a common typo for both of these.
More words people confuse
