accept/except

The English language is full of exceptions that we have to accept. Should we dub them “acceptions” (exceptions that you have to accept even when they annoy you)? Okay, maybe I made that up, and maybe it’s not as clever as it was in my head. Let’s just stick to basics here.

There is a clear difference between “accept” and “except,” and it’s more than just the first two letters.

Accept (think “acceptance”) – a verb meaning “to consent to receive something” or “to come to see something as suitable/valid/right.”

Except (think “exception”) – a preposition meaning “not including” or “other than”; a verb meaning “to exclude” or “to omit.”

I’m pretty sure we know the difference on this one and just write too quickly sometimes. I’m pretty sure. That’s what I tell myself anyhow. You surely won’t make that mistake anymore, right?