“Accept” is a verb meaning to receive or take something willingly, to agree to something, or to recognize something as true or valid. It often answers the question “Will you take it?” or “Do you agree?” It can describe both physical things and abstract ideas.

“Except” is most often used to show an exclusion: it means “not including” or “other than.” It can function as a preposition or conjunction to remove one person or thing from a larger group. It answers the question “Which one is left out?”

Use “accept” when something is included, received, or agreed to. Use “except” when something is excluded or removed from a group or rule. A quick check is: if you can replace the word with “receive” or “agree,” choose “accept”; if you can replace it with “excluding,” choose “except.”

“Accept” commonly has three everyday meanings. First, to take or receive something offered. Second, to agree to a plan, decision, or request. Third, to acknowledge or recognize a fact, situation, or responsibility, often with the idea of not resisting it.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
accept an offer	✅ 接受一个提议	agree to take something proposed	✅ 同意接受提出的某项	She accepted the job offer.	✅ 她接受了这份工作邀请。
accept a gift	✅ 接受礼物	receive something willingly	✅ 自愿接受某物	He accepted the award.	✅ 他接受了奖项。
accept responsibility	✅ 承担责任	acknowledge a duty or fault	✅ 承认职责或过错	They accepted responsibility for the delay.	✅ 他们对延迟负责。
accept a fact	✅ 接受事实	recognize something as true	✅ 将某事视为真实	I accept that I was wrong.	✅ 我承认我错了。

“Except” is used to name the one thing that does not follow the general statement. It commonly follows words like “all,” “everyone,” “everything,” “any,” and “no,” and it can also introduce a limitation to a statement. The excluded item can be a noun, pronoun, or clause.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use “except” to exclude one item from a group	📌 使用“except”从一个群组中排除一个项	Everyone came except Maya.	📌 除了玛雅，大家都来到了。
Use “except” after words that refer to a whole group	📌 在指代整组的词之后使用“except”	I like all fruits except bananas.	📌 我喜欢所有水果，除了香蕉。
Use “except” to add a limitation to a statement	📌 用“except”为陈述添加限制	I would go, except I have to work.	📌 我会去，除非我得上班。

“Accept” is always a verb, so it needs a subject and usually an object. “Except” is usually a preposition meaning “excluding,” but it can also be a conjunction meaning “but” or “if not.” This difference affects what can follow each word and where it fits in a sentence.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
“Accept” + object or clause	📌 “Accept” + 宾语或从句	We accept your apology.	📌 We accept your apology.
“Except” + noun or pronoun	📌 “Except” + 名词或代词	All seats are taken except this one.	📌 All seats are taken except this one.
“Except” + clause when it means “but”	📌 “Except” + 从句表示“但”	I’d help, except I’m out of town.	📌 I’d help, except I’m out of town.

Some combinations are especially frequent and sound natural in English. Learning these helps you choose quickly between the two words. “Accept” often appears with offers, invitations, payments, and responsibility, while “except” often appears with broad words like “all” and “everyone.”

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
accept an invitation	✅ 接受一个邀请	agree to attend	✅ 同意出席	She accepted the invitation to speak.	✅ She accepted the invitation to speak.
accept payment	✅ 接受付款	take money as payment	✅ 以钱作为付款	This store accepts credit cards.	✅ This store accepts credit cards.
accept a decision	✅ 接受一个决定	agree to a result	✅ 同意结果	They accepted the judge’s decision.	✅ They accepted the judge’s decision.
all except	✅ all except	everything but one part	✅ everything but one part	All except the first page is finished.	✅ All except the first page is finished.
everyone except	✅ everyone except	every person but one	✅ every person but one	Everyone except Omar agreed.	✅ Everyone except Omar agreed.

When you are unsure, test the sentence with a simple substitution. If “receive,” “take,” or “agree” fits, you need “accept.” If “excluding,” “other than,” or “but” fits, you need “except.” This quick test works for most real-world sentences.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Substitute “receive” or “agree” → “accept”	📌 替换“receive”或“agree” → “accept”	We accept returns within 30 days.	📌 We accept returns within 30 days.
Substitute “excluding” or “other than” → “except”	📌 替换“excluding”或“other than” → “except”	The museum is open every day except Monday.	📌 The museum is open every day except Monday.
Substitute “but” → “except” in contrast statements	📌 将“but”替换为“except”在对比句中	I would call you, except my phone died.	📌 I’d help, except I’m out of town.

“Accept” and “except” connect to other common words that can reinforce the meaning. “Acceptance” and “acceptable” relate to receiving or approving. “Exception” and “exceptional” relate to something outside the general rule, which matches the exclusion idea in “except.”

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
acceptance	✅ 接受（acceptance）	the act of accepting	✅ 接受的行为	Acceptance of the terms is required.	✅ Acceptance of the terms is required.
acceptable	✅ 可接受	approved or good enough	✅ 已批准或足够好	This explanation is acceptable.	✅ This explanation is acceptable.
exception	✅ exception	something excluded from a rule	✅ 某条规则所排除的事物	There is one exception to the policy.	✅ There is one exception to the policy.
exceptional	✅ exceptional	unusually good or unusual	✅ 非同寻常地好或异常	She gave an exceptional performance.	✅ She gave an exceptional performance.

Use “accept” for inclusion: receiving, agreeing, or acknowledging. Use “except” for exclusion: leaving something out or adding a “but” limitation. If the sentence is about taking something, choose “accept”; if it is about what is not included, choose “except.”