Question 1

Is "except" ever a verb?

Accepted Answer

Rarely. In everyday writing, "except" is a preposition meaning "leaving out." The verb you probably want is "exempt" or "exclude." There is a technical verb form ("to except someone from a rule"), but it reads stiff and archaic almost everywhere outside legal prose. If you want a verb, exclude or exempt will serve you better. For the receiving sense, you want accept — a completely different word.

Question 2

What is the difference between "accept" and "except"?

Accepted Answer

"Accept" means to receive or welcome. "Except" means to leave out. Opposite jobs, near-identical sound.

Question 3

Do you "accept" or "except" an invitation?

Accepted Answer

You accept an invitation. "Except" means to leave out — the wrong verb for receiving.

Question 4

Is it "everyone accept me" or "everyone except me"?

Accepted Answer

"Everyone except me." The word here marks who's left out — that's except.