Accept and except sound close enough in fast speech that they get typed for each other constantly, even though they mean almost opposite things.
To accept is to agree to receive or take something, or to say yes to it.
accept full definition →
Except means excluding, or not including something.
except full definition →
| accept | except | |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | To agree to, to receive | To exclude, to leave out |
| Part of speech | Verb | Preposition or conjunction |
| Simple test | "I accept this" means I take it | "Everyone except him" means everyone but him |
Accept means to take or agree to something. Except means leaving something out. If you mean "but not," you want except.
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