What are the differences between “Accept,” “Except,” and “Expect” in English?

When learning English, one often encounters words that may seem very similar to each other. In particular, the words “accept,” “except,” and “expect” often cause confusion due to their external similarity, but they have different meanings and usage. Let’s take a closer look at these words to understand their differences.

Accept – meaning and usage in English

The word “Accept” in English is a verb that has several meanings and is used in various contexts. Here is a detailed description:

1. Accepting an offer or invitation: When someone agrees to receive or take something that is offered to them.
   • He accepted my offer of help.
2. Agreement or approval: Expressing agreement or approval of something.
   • The committee accepted the new rules.
3. Accepting payment: When a business or person receives payment in a particular form.
   • This store accepts credit cards.
4. Acknowledging responsibility: Accepting responsibility for something, especially when it comes to mistakes or unpleasant situations.
   • She accepted blame for the failure of the project.
5. Coming to terms with a situation: Continuing to live in difficult circumstances without complaint, realizing that the situation cannot be changed.
   • You have to accept that things will not always go your way.

Grammatically, “accept” is used as a regular verb and has the following forms:

• Present simple: I/you/we/they accept, he/she/it accepts
• Past simple: accepted
• Past participle: accepted
• -ing form: accepting

For example:

• I accept your apology.
• They were accepting donations at the door.

Except – meaning and usage in English

The word “Except” in English is used as a preposition, conjunction, and sometimes as a verb. Here is a detailed description:

1. As a preposition or conjunction: “Except” is used to indicate an exception from a group, situation, or list.
   • Everyone was invited except Mark.
2. Meaning “excluding” or “apart from”: This word is often used to emphasize that something or someone is not included in a general rule or group.
   • I like all fruits except bananas.
3. As a verb (formally): “Except” can be used as a verb meaning “to exclude” or “not to include” in something.
   • The rule applies to everyone, children excepted.

Grammatically, when “except” is used as a verb, it has the following forms:

• Present simple: I/you/we/they except, he/she/it excepts
• Past simple: excepted
• Past participle: excepted
• -ing form: excepting

For example:

• All topics are open for discussion, politics excepted.

“Except” can also be used with “for,” giving it the meaning of “apart from” or “excluding”:

• The room was empty except for a single chair.

Expect – meaning and usage in English

The word “Expect” in English is a verb used to express anticipation or prediction of something happening. Here is a detailed description:

1. Anticipation of an event: When we believe that something will happen.
   • I expect to hear from them soon.
2. Prediction of an outcome: When we think or believe that a certain outcome will occur.
   • We expect the team to win.
3. Demand or expectation: When we demand or hope that someone will do something.
   • I expect punctuality from my students.
4. Assumption: Used to express a thought or assumption.
   • I expect that they will agree.

Grammatically, “expect” has the following forms:

• Present simple: I/you/we/they expect, he/she/it expects
• Past simple: expected
• Past participle: expected
• -ing form: expecting

For example:

• They expect to finish the project by Friday.
• She is expecting a baby.

“Expect” can also be used with “that” to express anticipation of something happening:

• I expect that they will arrive late.

Differences between “Accept,” “Except,” and “Expect”

The words “Accept,” “Except,” and “Expect” in English may look and sound similar, but they have different meanings and usage. Let’s briefly examine each of them:

Accept:

• It’s a verb that means agreeing to receive or take something.
• Used to express agreement or approval.
• Can signify accepting payment.
• Employed to acknowledge responsibility.
• Can also denote coming to terms with a situation.

Except:

• As a preposition or conjunction, “Except” indicates an exception from a group or situation.
• Used to emphasize that something or someone is not included in a general rule or group.
• In formal contexts, it can function as a verb meaning “to exclude” or “not to include.”

Expect:

• This verb is used to express anticipation or prediction of something happening.
• Used for predicting an outcome.
• Can be used to express demand or expectation.
• Also, it can denote an assumption.

These words have different grammatical forms and are used in various contexts, so it’s essential not to confuse them to avoid misunderstandings in communication. Understanding these differences is crucial for their correct usage in the English language.

Exercise to test knowledge of the differences between “Accept,” “Except,” and “Expect”

Fill in the blanks in the sentences by choosing the correct word (“accept,” “except,” or “expect”):

1. I cannot ________ this gift if it means I owe you something in return.
2. Everyone can come to the meeting ________ for John, who is on vacation.
3. We ________ the weather to be sunny for our picnic tomorrow.
4. Please ________ my apologies for not attending your birthday party.
5. The job offer was great, and I happily ________ it.
6. ________ for the rain, it would have been a perfect day for the marathon.
7. Do you ________ me to believe that you finished the project in one day?
8. She will ________ any package that arrives during office hours.
9. ________ Mark, all the team members agreed on the proposal.
10. It’s hard to ________ that summer is almost over.

Answers:

1. accept
2. except
3. expect
4. accept
5. accepted
6. Except
7. expect
8. accept
9. Except
10. accept

Video – Saying EXCEPT, ACCEPT and EXPECT | American English pronunciation