accept

USAGE SUMMARY

"accept" is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
You can use it as a verb to indicate the act of receiving or allowing something, or as a noun to refer to something that has been accepted. Example sentence: The company accepted the offer and signed the contract.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She added: "This is further evidence that Paterson's unwillingness to accept the science on climate change is leading him to make the wrong choices on spending cuts within his department".

The Guardian

By booking a Guardian Masterclass, you accept these terms and conditions.

The Guardian

If you don't accept the demands, then I die".

The New York Times

If you accept the demands, I live.

The New York Times

Above all, you have to get consumers to accept significantly higher, and steadily rising, prices.

The Economist

Back home, his wife, Mary, given the news that Tom was missing, presumed wounded, refused to accept the inevitable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Inside the cocoon of an event where the main sponsors don't accept that human caused climate change is even real, the news from Beijing seemed to further outline how rapidly the world could change – whether the coal industry likes it or not.

The Guardian

His task will be similar to the one Edberg encountered with Federer, helping him to understand he would have to accept being passed at the net because if he continued to do it correctly, it would pay off when the pressure was ramped up later in the match.

The Guardian - Sport

7 January: The Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi describes Mario Balotelli as a "bad apple" during a televised interview, adding, "I would never accept him being a part of our changing room".

The Guardian - Sport

There has been an outpouring of support for the gay community but there remains a huge conservative community too, which is a majority and is unwilling to accept gays," Kalbag said.

The Guardian

In a 2014 vote to cap immigration, for example, the question asked was: "Do you accept the popular initiative, 'Stop mass immigration'?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a formal tone, be mindful of the difference between "accept" and "except." "Accept" means to receive willingly, while "except" means to exclude.

Common error

A common error is using "except" when "accept" is intended, or vice versa. "Accept" means to receive or agree to, while "except" means to exclude or leave out. Ensure you're using the correct word to convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The verb "accept" functions primarily to indicate the act of receiving something willingly, agreeing to something proposed, or acknowledging something as true. Ludwig AI confirms that "accept" is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "accept" is a versatile and frequently used term to denote receiving something willingly, agreeing to a proposal, or acknowledging a truth. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts. Key considerations include distinguishing it from "except" and ensuring clarity in the context of acceptance. While "accept" maintains a neutral register, it is commonly found in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific discussions. Remember to use "accept" when you want to convey agreement, approval, or acknowledgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agree to

Implies consent or willingness, making it a direct synonym for "accept" in many contexts.

consent to

Highlights permission or agreement, more formal than a simple "accept".

receive

Focuses on the act of getting something, whereas "accept" includes willingness.

admit

Suggests conceding something, often reluctantly, which "accept" doesn't necessarily imply.

take on

Focuses on assuming responsibility or a task, unlike "accept" which is more general.

embrace

Conveys enthusiasm and willingness, stronger than simply "accept"ing.

acknowledge

Stresses recognition or awareness rather than explicit agreement.

accede to

Implies agreement under pressure or duress, a nuance not present in "accept".

recognize

Emphasizes understanding and acceptance of a fact or situation.

submit to

Suggests yielding to authority or force, carrying a sense of obligation.

FAQs

How to use "accept" in a sentence?

You can use "accept" to mean to receive something willingly, agree to something, or believe something. For example, "I "accept" your apology", "Will you "accept" the offer?", or "I "accept" that it is true".

What can I say instead of "accept"?

You can use alternatives like "agree to", "consent to", "acknowledge", or "admit", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. For example, instead of saying "I "accept" the terms", you could say "I "agree to" the terms".

What's the difference between "accept" and "except"?

"Accept" means to receive or agree to something, while "except" means to exclude or leave out. For example, "I "accept" all your gifts", versus "I like all fruits "except" apples".

Is it correct to say "I'm accepting"?

Yes, "accepting" is the present participle of "accept" and can be used in continuous tenses. For example, "I'm currently "accepting" applications for the position".