Accept means receive, agree to, or recognize as true. Except usually means excluding. “We accept reservations every day except Monday” uses both words in their common roles.
Check whether the sentence includes or excludes
- “I’ll accept the offer.” The speaker agrees to it.
- “Every room except the small office has a window.” The small office is excluded.
- “We accept that the schedule might change.” The speaker recognizes that possibility.
Recognize except when and except that
In “The trail stays open except when it floods,” except introduces the condition that limits the statement. In “The rooms are identical except that one has a balcony,” it introduces the one difference.
Try it
“We can ___ packages on any weekday ___ Friday.”
Show the answer
Use accept for receiving packages and except for excluding Friday.
See also Adverse vs. Averse.
