The confusion probably arises more for French speakers, as the translation of ‘agree’ is accepter, while ‘accept’ is also accepter. ( linguee.com )
The explanations below are from the Oxford Learners Dictionary
Agree (opposite: disagree)
- [intransitive, transitive] to have the same opinion as somebody; to say that you have the same opinion
- When he said that, I had to agree.
- agree with somebody I totally agree with you!
- ‘It’s terrible.’ ‘I couldn’t agree more!’ (= I completely agree)
Accept an offer/invitation (opposite: refuse)
[intransitive, transitive] to take willingly something that is offered; to say ‘yes’ to an offer, invitation, etc.
- He asked me to marry him and I accepted.
- I am unfortunately unable to accept your kind invitation.
Agree (opposite: reject)
[transitive] to agree to or approve of something
- accept something They accepted the court’s decision.
- The judge refused to accept his evidence.
Test yourself
Sometimes both are possible but the meaning changes.
- Please agree with / accept our sincere apologies.
- It was pouring with rain so I agreed to / accepted his offer of a lift.
- We agreed (that) / accepted the proposal was a good one.
- I agree with / accept that analysis of the situation.
- Historians have not always agreed about / accepted the exact date.
- She’s decided not to agree to / accept the job.
- We don’t always agree about / accept everything.
- He agreed to / accepted all the changes we proposed.
- I don’t agree / accept, for reasons I will explain later.
- Are you willing to agree to / accept the challenge?
Answer key
- Please accept our sincere apologies.
- It was pouring with rain so I accepted his offer of a lift.
- We agreed (that) the proposal was a good one.
- I agree with that analysis of the situation. (‘I accept that analysis’ indicates you don’t necessarily agree but perhaps have no choice).
- Historians have not always agreed about the exact date.
- She’s decided not to accept the job.
- We don’t always agree about everything.
- He agreed to / accepted all the changes we proposed. (both are possible)
- I don’t agree, for reasons I will explain later.
- Are you willing to accept the challenge? (agree to is also possible)
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Carol Waites (PhD)
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