Accept / except / expect

Accept is a verb. It means to take what someone gives you or to be satisfied with a situation.

There are arguments for nuclear power but many people do not accept that is necessary.

Except is a preposition. It means ‘not including’ or ‘apart from’.

            Everyone (except me, that is) followed the new fashion.

            All the dogs at the show behaved well except mine.

            The day was great except for the rain that sent everyone running.

Expect is a verb. It means to think that something is likely to happen.

The astronauts expected the journey to the moon and back to take eight days.

            Do you expect me to wait on you?

            I didn’t expect him to be.