Accept / Except
Different meaningsAccept concerns receiving, agreeing or approving; except excludes something. Confusing them can reverse the effect of a rule or instruction.
Accept
Use when
You mean agree to receive, approve, acknowledge or regard something as satisfactory.
Example
“The approving authority accepted the revised recommendation.”
Except
Use when
You mean excluding or not including someone or something.
Example
“All applications will be considered except those submitted after the deadline.”
Quick check
all applications accept late applications, except the proposal when accept is meant, accepted when excluded is meant
Usage note