What is the difference between "accept" and "except"?

Contexti

The two words sound nearly identical — both start with the same stressed "-ept" syllable — which is why autocorrect regularly lets the wrong one through. Search volume for this question peaks every September (college-essay season) and every January (hiring season).

A little moreii

"Accept" is almost always a verb — it's what you do with a gift, an apology, or a job offer. "Except" is usually a preposition that marks the exception: "Everyone came except Priya." If you can replace the word with "receive," you want accept. If you can replace it with "but not," you want except.

Examplesiii

Watch foriv

The full entryv

More quick answersvi

• → Do you "accept" or "except" an invitation? You accept an invitation. "Except" means to leave out — the wrong verb for receiving.
• → Is it "everyone accept me" or "everyone except me"? "Everyone except me." The word here marks who's left out — that's except.
• → Is "except" ever a verb? Rarely. In everyday writing, "except" is a preposition meaning "leaving out." The verb you probably want is "exempt" or "exclude."