Cool MateAccept vs I will not tolerate
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accept
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
I will not tolerate
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Accept
| Accept | I will not tolerate | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əkˈsept/","/əkˈsepts/","/əkˈseptɪd/","/əkˈseptɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əkˈsept/","/əkˈsepts/","/əkˈseptɪd/","/əkˈseptɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪ wɪl nɒt ˈtɒləreɪt//🇺🇸 //aɪ wɪl nɑt ˈtɑləˌreɪt// |
| Meaning | To agree to receive something or to believe it is true. | I will not accept or allow something. |
| Example | I am happy to accept your invitation to the party. | I will not tolerate disrespect in my classroom. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | eagerly, gladly, graciously, be glad to, be happy to, be reluctant to, from, happily, readily, fully, be happy to, be prepared to, be ready to, be commonly accepted, be generally accepted, be universally accepted, eagerly, gladly, graciously, be glad to, be happy to, be reluctant to, from, happily, readily, fully, be happy to, be prepared to, be ready to, be commonly accepted, be generally accepted, be universally accepted, happily, readily, fully, be happy to, be prepared to, be ready to, be commonly accepted, be generally accepted, be universally accepted | tolerate bad behavior, tolerate noise, tolerate stress, tolerate differences, tolerate mistakes |
| Antonyms | reject, decline, refuse | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'except' - remember 'accept' means to receive., Using 'accept' without an object - always specify what is being accepted., Mixing up 'accept' and 'admit' - 'accept' is about receiving, while 'admit' often implies recognition. | Confusing 'tolerate' with 'accept' – 'tolerate' implies enduring something unpleasant, while 'accept' is more positive., Using 'tolerate' without an object – always specify what you are not willing to tolerate., Mixing up the tense – ensure to use the correct future tense with 'will not'. |
| Usage notes | Used when someone agrees to something offered, like an invitation or a proposal. It's appropriate in both formal and casual contexts but may become less common in very informal speech. | Use this phrase to firmly indicate limits on behavior or actions. It is appropriate in both personal and professional contexts but can sound strong, so use it cautiously. |
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Frequently asked questions: Accept vs I will not tolerate
What's the difference between Accept and I will not tolerate?
Accept: To agree to receive something or to believe it is true. I will not tolerate: I will not accept or allow something.
Which is more common: Accept and I will not tolerate?
Accept is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Accept: I am happy to accept your invitation to the party. I will not tolerate: I will not tolerate disrespect in my classroom.
Can I use Accept and I will not tolerate interchangeably?
Not always. Accept and I will not tolerate are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.