# accept vs except

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### accept
*verb · IPA /əkˈsɛpt/ · frequency rank #1,473*
To receive, especially with a consent, with favour, or with approval.

### except
*verb · IPA /ɪkˈsɛpt/ · frequency rank #1,017*
To exclude; to specify as being an exception.

## How to tell them apart
“Accept” is the verb meaning to receive or agree to. “Except” means excluding or leaving out. You accept a gift; everyone came except Sam.

## Memory trick
ACcept = AgRee/take in; EXcept = EXclude.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/accept-vs-except