Question

What kind of spelling error do you see in the following passage?
Everyone in our after-school art class created a two-dimensional work, such as a painting or drawing, for the art show. Everyone, that is, accept for me. I made a sculpture out of recycled objects.

Answer 1

Answer:

The spelling error happens with the word "accept". The word should be spelled "except". The error is caused by the similar pronunciation of the two words.

Explanation:

It is not uncommon for certain words to be confused with another because of the way they sound. That is what happens with "accept" and "except". However, mistaking one for the other can lead to an error, since they convey very different meanings. "Accept" is a verb that means to receive, to welcome. On the other hand, "except" can function as a preposition or a conjunction, and it means "excluding" or "leaving out". Take a look at the examples below:

- I accept your apologies.

- I will visit everyone except cousin Marjorie.

Now, in the question, the sentence's context asks for the use of "except" instead of "accept". The speaker means that everyone but him (excluding him) made two-dimensional works. The sentence should be:

- Everyone, that is, except for me.