eXcept or accept - Mixed messages and misused words from A to Z

The English language abounds with exceptions. Nearly every rule of grammar or spelling may be transgressed legitimately by certain examples. (You don't have to be a foreign deity, or even a feisty science whiz with codeine, to see the weirdness of this not-so-hard-and-fast rule.)

Except and accept are not exceptions to standard English, though.

To accept means to agree, assent, take on, or willingly cooperate. Except pertains to exclusions, omissions, or rejections.

Examine this example of accept and except.

The university would have accepted the student’s application, except that he neglected to submit his paperwork before the deadline. He’d hoped to accept a hearty scholarship offer, but the school offered no exceptions.

Exactly!

The English language abounds with exceptions. Nearly every rule of grammar or spelling may be transgressed legitimately by certain examples.

Except and accept are not exceptions.

To accept means to agree, assent, take on, or willingly cooperate. Except pertains to exclusions, omissions, or rejections.

Examine this example of accept and except.

The university would have accepted the student’s application, except that he neglected to submit his paperwork before the deadline. He’d hoped to accept a hearty scholarship offer, but the school offered no exceptions.

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Misused word pair

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 Abused and misused word graphics

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Exactly!