Accept vs. Except: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on November 6, 2023
"Accept" means to receive or agree; "except" implies exclusion. Both have distinct roles in sentences.
Key Differences
"Accept" is a verb that signifies agreement or receipt of something. "Except" is usually a preposition or conjunction, used to exclude something from a statement or situation.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 06, 2023
When you accept, you're in agreement with or receiving what is offered. "Except" is about exclusion, setting something apart from a group.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 06, 2023
"Accept" often involves an action, like accepting an award. "Except" is passive, used to set boundaries or limitations.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 06, 2023
"Accept" indicates inclusion or a positive response, such as accepting an invitation. "Except" highlights an outlier or exception to a general rule.
Janet White
Nov 06, 2023
Misusing "accept" and "except" can lead to confusion, as "accept" suggests receiving or agreeing, while "except" indicates an exclusion or exception.
Harlon Moss
Nov 06, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Accept and Except Definitions
Accept
To give admittance or approval to.
The club did not accept my application.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2023
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Except
Only; with the exception (often followed by "that").
She was well, except that she was tired.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2023
Accept
To receive (something offered), especially with gladness or approval
Accepted a glass of water.
Accepted their contract.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Except
Used to introduce an exception or limitation.
He is widely traveled, except in Africa.
Sara Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
Accept
To admit to a group, organization, or place
Accepted me as a new member of the club.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Except
If it were not for the fact that; only. Often used with that
I would buy the suit, except that it costs too much.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Except
(Archaic) Unless
"And ne'er throughout the year to church thou go'st / Except it be to pray against thy foes" (Shakespeare).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Except
To leave out; exclude
An admission fee is charged, but children are excepted.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
To be able to hold (something applied or inserted)
This wood will not accept oil paints.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Except
(intransitive) To take exception, to object (to or against).
To except to a witness or his testimony
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Except
With the exception of; but.
There was nothing in the cupboard except a tin of beans.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
(Medicine) To receive (a transplanted organ or tissue) without immunological rejection.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Except
With the exception (that); used to introduce a clause, phrase or adverb forming an exception or qualification to something previously stated.
You look a bit like my sister, except she has longer hair.
I never made fun of her except teasingly.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Except
(archaic) Unless; used to introduce a hypothetical case in which an exception may exist.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
(transitive) To receive, especially with a consent, with favour, or with approval.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Except
To take or leave out (anything) from a number or a whole as not belonging to it; to exclude; to omit.
Who never touchedThe excepted tree.
Wherein (if we only except the unfitness of the judge) all other things concurred.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
(transitive) To admit to a place or a group.
The Boy Scouts were going to accept him as a member.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
(transitive) To regard as proper, usual, true, or to believe in.
I accept the notion that Christ lived.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Except
To take exception; to object; - usually followed by to, sometimes by against; as, to except to a witness or his testimony.
Except thou wilt except against my love.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Except
With exclusion of; leaving or left out; excepting.
God and his Son except,Created thing naught valued he nor . . . shunned.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
(transitive) To receive or admit to; to agree to; to assent to; to submit to.
I accept your proposal, amendment, or excuse.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Except
Unless; if it be not so that.
And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
But yesterday you never opened lip,Except, indeed, to drink.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
(transitive) To acknowledge patiently without opposition or resistance.
We need to accept the fact that restaurants are closed due to COVID-19 and that no amount of wishing or screaming will make them reopen any sooner.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Except
Prevent from being included or considered or accepted;
The bad results were excluded from the report
Leave off the top piece
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
(transitive) To receive officially.
To accept the report of a committee
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
To receive with a consenting mind (something offered); as, to accept a gift; - often followed by of.
If you accept them, then their worth is great.
To accept of ransom for my son.
She accepted of a treat.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
To receive with favor; to approve.
The Lord accept thy burnt sacrifice.
Peradventure he will accept of me.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
To receive or admit and agree to; to assent to; as, I accept your proposal, amendment, or excuse.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
To take by the mind; to understand; as, How are these words to be accepted?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
To receive as obligatory and promise to pay; as, to accept a bill of exchange.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
In a deliberate body, to receive in acquittance of a duty imposed; as, to accept the report of a committee. [This makes it the property of the body, and the question is then on its adoption.]
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
Consider or hold as true;
I cannot accept the dogma of this church
Accept an argument
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
Receive willingly something given or offered;
The only girl who would have him was the miller's daughter
I won't have this dog in my house!
Please accept my present
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
Give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to;
I cannot accept your invitation
I go for this resolution
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
React favorably to; consider right and proper;
People did not accept atonal music at that time
We accept the idea of universal health care
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
Admit into a group or community;
Accept students for graduate study
We'll have to vote on whether or not to admit a new member
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
Take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person;
I'll accept the charges
She agreed to bear the responsibility
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
Tolerate or accommodate oneself to;
I shall have to accept these unpleasant working conditions
I swallowed the insult
She has learned to live with her husband's little idiosyncracies
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
Of a deliberative body: receive (a report) officially, as from a committee
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
Be sexually responsive to, used of a female domesticated mammal;
The cow accepted the bull
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Accept
To endure without protest or reaction.
He accepted the punishment without complaint.
Sara Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
Accept
To regard as proper, normal, or inevitable.
The term is widely accepted in English.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2023
FAQs
Does "accept" only refer to receiving physical items?
No, it can also mean agreement or endurance.
Sara Rehman
Nov 06, 2023
Can "accept" and "except" be used interchangeably?
No, they have different meanings and uses.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 06, 2023
Is "accept" used in formal communication?
Yes, it's common in both formal and informal contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 06, 2023
Does "except" always indicate exclusion?
Generally, it introduces an exception or exclusion.
Janet White
Nov 06, 2023
What's the difference between "except" and "except for"?
They're similar, but "except for" is often more emphatic.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 06, 2023
Can "except" mean "only"?
In some contexts, it can imply exclusivity, similar to "only."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 06, 2023
What does "except" in legal terms mean?
It indicates an exclusion from a general rule.
Harlon Moss
Nov 06, 2023
Can "accept" indicate resignation?
Yes, it can mean enduring a situation without protest.
Harlon Moss
Nov 06, 2023
What is the phrase "except that" used for?
To introduce a specific point of exception.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 06, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
