Grammar-Quizzes › More Practices › Writing Aids › Commonly Confused Words › Accept vs. Except
Accept vs. Except
Approving or Rejecting
Accept vs. Except
| ACCEPT |
|---|
Accept is a verb that means take or receive something with approval, or agree to something. The verb is followed by an object noun phrase or gerund. (A what-phrase is a noun phrase.) |
| TAKE IN / APPROVE |
They accepted my 40% off coupon when I bought my TV. (They approved it.) |
They accept American Express cards. (They agree to take them.) |
They don't accept checks. (They do not take them.) |
He accepted what I said. (He agreed with my statement.) "Businesses should put customers ahead of profits, " I said. |
|
They don't | EXCEPT |
|---|
Except is a verb that means to exclude (not include) something or someone. As a verb, except is followed by an object noun. As a preposition, except is followed by a noun or another preposition. (See But not / Except.) Other expressions such as make an exception and take exception are used. |
| EXCLUDE / REJECT |
 They excepted televisions on the back of the 40% off coupon. (TVs weren't included.) |
They except American Express cards from the ones they will take. (They will take other credit cards, but not American Express.) |
They made an exception for me because they know me well. (They changed their standard practice for only me.) |
He took exception to what I said. (He disagreed with my statement.) "On the contrary, we do put our customers ahead of profit," he said. |
|
They prohibit all dogs profit (N) – money that a business earns
Also see But not / Except
Accept
Additional Meanings
Accept
| VARIANT MEANING | EXAMPLES |
|---|---|
ACCEPT (V) verb |
Accept expresses agreement or positive opinion of a situation. |
TAKE IN PAYMENT (V) |
The store accepts credit cards. |
WILLINGLY RECEIVE (V) |
They accepted the gift with smiles and thank-yous. |
AUTHORIZE (V) |
The web site won't accept my password. |
ADMIT (V) |
The University accepted her into their Business School. |
REGARD AS PROPER OR NORMAL (V) |
We find it hard to accept the violence we see on TV. |
SETTLE EMOTIONALLY |
It took a long time for the boy to accept the fact that his mother abandoned him. |
AGREE TO (V) |
The businessmen accepted the offer to buy the company. |
FEEL INCLUDED (Adj) |
He felt accepted by his teammates. (well-received) |
Word Categories: N – Noun; V – Verb; Aux – Auxiliary; Adj – Adjective; Adv – Adverb; P –Preposition; Det –Determiner.
Phrasal Categories: NP – Noun Phrase; VP – Verb Phrase; AdjP – Adjective Phrase; AdvP – Adverb Phrase; PP – Prepositional Phrase; DP – Determinative Phrase.
Except
Additional Meanings
Except
| VARIANT MEANING | EXAMPLES |
|---|---|
EXCEPT – (V) verb EXCEPT – (P) preposition |
Except excludes a part from a larger group of things Except or except for expresses something that is excluded after making a generalization. |
EXCLUDE |
The sale coupon listed the excepted merchandise. (V + N) |
EXCLUDED |
They admitted several people, but excepted those under age twenty-one. (V + NP) |
UNLESS |
Drive on the right side of the road except if you need to pass another car. (V + PP) |
BUT NOT |
The supermarket is open daily except on holidays. (P + PP ) |
BUT NOT |
It's easy to get there except on foot. (P + PP ) |
BUT NOT |
Everyone wanted to walk to the concert except for a few people, (for is optional) (P + PP ) |
ONLY |
He isn't interested in anything except eating and sleeping. (PP + gerund) |
ONLY + that |
I would go with you except that I already have plans. (P + clause) |
OUTSTANDING, DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS (IN A GOOD WAY) (Adj) |
She was an exceptional student. (NP) |
See related page– But not / Except
Word Categories: N – Noun; V – Verb; Aux – Auxiliary; Adj – Adjective; Adv – Adverb; P –Preposition; Det –Determiner.
Phrasal Categories: NP – Noun Phrase; VP – Verb Phrase; AdjP – Adjective Phrase; AdvP – Adverb Phrase; PP – Prepositional Phrase; DP – Determinative Phrase.
Common Mistakes
Errors and Solutions
Error and Solution
| ERROR |
|---|
*Will Congress except the automakers' proposal? |
*The nightclub wouldn't except me to go in because I was under twenty-one. |
| SOLUTION |
|---|
Will the government accept the automakers' proposal? (approve) Will the Congress except the automakers' proposal? (reject) |
The nightclub wouldn't accept me because I was under twenty-one. |
*Yellow highlighting indicates example of incorrect usage.
Pop-Q Accept
Images
- "Getting Squared." By Cogdogblog, Wikimedia, 28 June 2011. Licensed under CC BY 2.0.
- No parking sign. By Rayad.Kahn. Wikimedia, 14 Oct 2015. Licensed under CC BY SA 4.0.
Practice 1
Picky Eaters (choosy or very selective eaters)
Complete the sentence with the word that is logical—accept or except.
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "Check" or "Check 1-10" button at the bottom.
Practice 2
College Applications
Complete the sentence with a form of the word "except" or "accept".
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "Check" or "Check 9-15" button at the bottom.