Tricky Words that are Often Misused: accept/except

Accept is a verb that means “to receive,” “to agree with,” “to admit,” “to regard as true,” or “to say yes to.”

Ex:

Brad asked me to marry him, and I accepted!

Julie could not accept her new baby brother.

Zondervan accepted Jill’s book proposal.

Mr. Young accepted my assignment yesterday.

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Except is a verb that means “to exclude,” to omit,” “to leave out,” or “to exempt.”

Ex:

Meg was excepted from the guest list.

I hate guys, present company excepted.

Mike thinks he is excepted from any rules.

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Except is a preposition that means “excluding,” or “other than.”

Ex:

Santa brought a gift for everyone except me.

I know everyone here except that cute guy by the door.

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Except is a conjunction that means “other than,” or “if not for the fact that.”

I would come to the party, except I have to go to work.

Carol never talks to me except to ask for something.