Vocabulary · Free lesson
Accept or except? Agreeing is not excluding
These words look and can sound similar, but they do different jobs. Start with the meaning you need, then check the spelling.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
Accept means take or agree to something offered: “I accept the invitation.” Except means not including: “Everyone except Leo can come.”
Accept = take or agree. Except = leave out.
Use accept as the action: accept an invitation, an offer or a payment. With everyone except Leo, except marks Leo as the person outside the group described by the sentence. Ask whether your idea is about receiving or agreeing, or about an exception.
Compare the examples
I accept your offer.
We accept credit cards.
We are open every day except Monday.
Except does not mean accept with a different spelling. “I except your invitation” does not express the ordinary meaning of accepting an invitation.
Build the meaning step by step
Find the action
I accept
Name what is offered
your invitation
Check the full meaning
I accept your invitation.
Try it now
Choose by meaning
Read all answers and explanations
You agree to take the offer. Complete: I ___ your offer.
acceptAccept is the verb for agreeing to take the offer. Exception is a noun; except does not express agreement here.
The shop is closed only on Monday. Complete: Open every day ___ Monday.
exceptExcept excludes Monday from every day. It does not describe accepting something.
The café allows payment by card. Complete: We ___ credit cards.
acceptAccept means the café takes that payment method. Except would not express this payment policy.
Build it yourself
Build an exception
Say that every person can attend, with Leo as the only exception.
Arrange all the pieces. Select a piece again to move it back.
Your sentence
0 of 3 piecesYour chosen pieces will appear here.
See a model answer
Everyone except Leo can come.
Everyone names the group; except Leo removes one person from the statement.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
What is the past tense of accept?
Accepted. Keep the ac- spelling when the meaning is agreeing to take something.
She accepted the invitation.
Can I also see except for?
Yes. Except for can also introduce an exception. Here it means that one detail does not fit the general statement.
The room is empty except for one chair.
Take it into your day
Check the meaning before choosing between accept and except.
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