A gift can be received; a person can be left out.

The idea

Accept means to receive, agree to, or acknowledge something. Except means excluding or apart from.

Patterns to compare
WordMeaning
acceptreceive, agree to, or acknowledge
exceptexcluding; apart from

Examples

  • Maya accepted the invitation to dinner.
  • The shop accepts cash and cards.
  • We accept that the plan needs more work.
  • Everyone except Leo brought a notebook.
  • The museum is open every day except Monday.
  • I liked the soup except for the salty beans.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not write except when you mean to receive an offer: choose accept.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct word. Will you ___ this gift from your neighbors? (accept / except)

    Show answer or example answer

    accept

    accept: The gift is being received.

  2. Choose the correct word. All the windows are closed ___ the one upstairs. (accept / except)

    Show answer or example answer

    except

    except: The upstairs window is left out of the closed group.

  3. Choose the correct word. The coach will ___ your decision to leave the team. (accept / except)

    Show answer or example answer

    accept

    accept: The coach agrees to respect the decision.

Use it today

Choose the word that fits each situation.