Although the words accept and except sound very similar, they’re quite different in meaning. Accept is a verb. It means to take something offered; to answer yes to an invitation or offer. Except is most commonly used as a preposition.
- Please accept our humblest apologies.
- We offered her the job, and she accepted.
- I’ve accepted an offer of $2 500.
- Are you going to accept his invitation to the party?
- Do you accept this credit card?
Except can be a preposition or conjunction.
We often use except as a preposition to mean apart from or not included. As a preposition, it is followed by a noun.
- I like all fruit except persimmon.
- The museum is open every day except holidays.
- Everyone came except David.
- All my friends were there except him.
As prepositions except and except for mean the same thing, but except for cannot be used as a conjunction.
- I like all sports except (for) tennis.
As a conjunction except is used before a clause or adverbial phrase.
- Our jackets were the same except his was red.
- He does nothing except watch television.
- She doesn’t know much about him, except that he’s a doctor.
Except can also be used as a verb to mean to not include someone or something.
- Children under seven are excepted from the rule.
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