LexBrew
Confusables Entry 1426 / 1605 60-second read

Accept vs. Expect

To receive willingly versus to anticipate.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

I expect your apology — go ahead and apologise.

✓ Correct

I accept your apology — go ahead and apologise. ACCEPT means to receive. EXPECT means to anticipate something will happen.

The ruleii

ACCEPT = receive. EXPECT = anticipate.

Sound similar but mean opposite directions: ACCEPT = take in. EXPECT = look forward to (or assume). "I accept that I'm wrong" vs "I expect rain tomorrow."

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

Accept what came. Expect what comes.

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