Meaning & use
do not accept
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseformal
Used to tell someone not to take, agree to, or believe something.
Grammar: This is the negative imperative form. It is followed by an object: do not accept something.
Patterns
- do not accept something
- do not accept that + clause
Do not accept any gifts from strangers.
The company does not accept responsibility for lost items.
Do not accept the offer without reading the contract.
Common combinations
- do not accept responsibility
- The airline does not accept responsibility for delays caused by weather.
- do not accept an offer
- You should not accept an offer that seems too good to be true.
- do not accept a gift
- In some cultures, it is polite to not accept a gift at first.
Synonyms and how they differ
- refuse
- This is a single verb meaning to say no to something. 'Do not accept' is a command or statement, often more formal.
- reject
- This is stronger and often means to refuse to consider or accept something as not good enough. 'Do not accept' is more neutral.
Opposites
Word family
- accept verb
- To take something offered or agree to something.
- acceptance noun
- The act of agreeing to or taking something.
Commonly confused: do not accept or except?
do not accept vs except
This sounds similar but means 'not including' or 'other than'. 'Do not accept' is about refusing to take something.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
'Accept' is a transitive verb and takes a direct object without a preposition. The other options add unnecessary prepositions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “do not accept”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.