Accept-Except | Commonly Confused Words

Accept

/əkˈsept/

To agree to receive or do something that is offered or suggested

Edward accepted her invitation and he began to be more cheerful.He stopped accepting invitations."That is to say, that he accepts it?

/ɪkˈsɛpt/

To leave out or exclude something from a group or category

"Excepting yourself – is it not?You are always sleeping, except at meal times.So we went to bed shamed and low spirited, except Stevens.

This word has no antonyms

"Accept" means to receive or agree to something, remember the A as in Agree.
"Except" means to exclude or leave out; recall it by thinking E as in Exclude.
Accept has A at the start, similar to Agree, both indicate a positive affirmation.
The Ex in Except can remind you of Exclude, both indicating a removal or exclusion.
Think of "Accept-ance" and "Ex-clusion" to remember that one is about taking in and the other is about leaving out.