CS Sealey

New Zealand-based sub-editor, writer and author

The difference between accept and except

Considering the fact that these two words are quite often confused by native speakers, if your second, third or amazingly fourth language is English, you can’t be blamed for doing the same!

accept (verb)—to provide an affirmative answer to something; to consent to something; to be recognised

Marie accepted the invitation to the party.

Despite the fact he was twice her age, Jane still accepted his offer of marriage.

After he completed the dare, John was accepted into the cool group.

except (preposition)—excluding, other than

‘I had to work every day except Sunday last week. It sucked.’

Joe hated all the girls in his class, except Sophie.

except (conjunction)—used before a phrase stating an exception to a previous phrase

Babe was no different to a normal pig, except for the fact he thought he was a dog.

except (verb)—excluded from a group

No right turn, buses excepted.

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