What is the difference between "accept" and "except"?
The words "accept" and "except" are two commonly used words in the English language that are often confused with each other. They are homophones, which means they are pronounced the same way but have different meanings and spellings. In this article, we will explore the definitions, usage, and differences between "accept" and "except" in detail.
Definition of "Accept":
The word "accept" is a verb that means to receive or take something willingly or without objection. It can also mean giving approval or agreeing to something.
For example:
- I accept your apology.
- She accepted the job offer.
- The committee accepted the proposal.
- The word "accept" can also mean to believe something to be true or valid.
For example:
- I accept that the earth is round.
- He accepted the fact that he had made a mistake.
- "Accept" can also mean to endure or tolerate something, especially an unpleasant situation.
For example:
- She accepted the fact that she had to work overtime.
- He accepted the pain and continued to run the marathon.
In summary, "accept" means to receive or take something willingly, to give approval or agree to something, to believe something to be true or valid, and to endure or tolerate something.
Definition of "Except":
The word "except" is a preposition that means excluding or with the exception of. It is used to indicate that something is not included in a list or group.
For example:
- Everyone was there except for John.
- All the books were on the shelf except the one I needed.
- I eat all fruits except bananas.
"Except" can also be used as a conjunction to introduce an exception or exclusion.
- For example:
- We will visit all the cities except the ones that are too far away.
- I would have finished the project on time except that I got sick.
In summary, "except" means excluding or with the exception of, and is used to indicate that something is not included in a list or group.
Usage of "Accept":
"Accept" is used in various contexts and situations. Some common uses of "accept" include:
Receiving or taking something willingly: "I accept your gift with gratitude."
Giving approval or agreeing to something: "The company accepted my proposal."
Believing something to be true or valid: "I accept the theory of evolution."
Enduring or tolerating something: "He accepted the punishment without protest."
Usage of "Except":
"Except" is also used in various contexts and situations. Some common uses of "except" include:
Excluding or with the exception of: "I like all sports except soccer."
Indicating something is not included in a list or group: "All the vegetables were fresh except the carrots."
Introducing an exception or exclusion: "I would have gone to the party except that I had to work."
The Differences between "Accept" and "Except":
Meaning: "Accept" means to receive or take something willingly, to give approval or agree to something, to believe something to be true or valid, and to endure or tolerate something. "Except" means excluding or with the exception of, and is used to indicate that something is not included in a list or group.
Part of Speech: "Accept" is a verb, while "except" is a preposition and a conjunction.
Usage: "Accept" is used when you receive or take something, agree to something, believe in something, or endure something. "Except" is used when you want to exclude something or when you want to make an exception.
Spelling: "Accept" and "except" are spelled differently, even though they are pronounced the same way. "Accept" has the letter "c" before the letter "e," while "except" has the letter "x" before the letters "cep."
Pronunciation: "Accept" and "except" are pronounced the same way, with the stress on the first syllable.
Examples of "Accept" and "Except" in sentences:
- I will accept your apology, except this time I need some time to think about it.
- I accept that I made a mistake, but I cannot accept the consequences.
- Everyone was invited to the party, except for John who had to work.
- She was willing to accept the job offer, except that the salary was too low.
- All the students passed the exam except for John, who failed.
- I accept that there are different opinions on this matter, except that I strongly disagree with yours.
- We are accepting donations for the charity, except for cash donations.
- She accepted the challenge to run a marathon, except that she needed to train more.
In conclusion, the words "accept" and "except" are homophones that have different meanings and spellings. "Accept" is a verb that means to receive or take something willingly, to give approval or agree to something, to believe something to be true or valid, and to endure or tolerate something. "Except" is a preposition that means excluding or with the exception of, and is used to indicate that something is not included in a list or group, or as a conjunction to introduce an exception or exclusion. Understanding the differences between these two words can help you avoid confusing them in your writing and speaking.