"Agree" is to share someone's opinion or reach a common position; "accept" is to receive or approve something offered to you.
Verb. To share the same opinion or position as another person. Also: to reach a mutual agreement. Synonyms: concur, be of the same mind. Does not imply receiving anything physical or formal.
I completely agree with your assessment of the situation.
Estoy completamente de acuerdo con tu evaluacion de la situacion.
We finally agreed on a price after two hours of negotiation.
Finalmente llegamos a un acuerdo sobre el precio despues de dos horas de negociacion.
Do you agree that the project needs more time?
¿Estas de acuerdo en que el proyecto necesita mas tiempo?
Verb. To receive, take, or approve something that is offered, proposed, or requested. Implies there is something concrete — an offer, an invitation, a condition — and you say yes to it.
She accepted the job offer without hesitation.
Ella acepto la oferta de trabajo sin dudarlo.
He accepted full responsibility for the mistake.
El acepto plena responsabilidad por el error.
The university accepted her application.
La universidad acepto su solicitud.
Common mistake
Typical error: "I accept with you." Wrong — you do not accept with someone. Correct: "I agree with you." And the reverse: "I agree the offer." Wrong — you do not agree an offer. Correct: "I accept the offer." Quick rule: agree with people and opinions. Accept with things, offers, invitations, responsibilities.
Trick to remember it
Agree = alignment of opinions (needs WITH for people: agree with someone). Accept = receiving something concrete (an offer, an invitation, an apology). Ask yourself: is it an opinion or position you share? = agree. Is it something concrete you receive or approve? = accept. "I agree with your plan" (I share your position). "I accept your plan" (I formally receive/approve your plan).
Quick rule
Agree = share an opinion. Accept = receive or approve something concrete.
Did you know?
"Agree" has several usage patterns: agree with someone, agree on something (two parties reach a decision), agree to do something, agree that + clause. And "I couldn't agree more" is an emphatic way of saying "I completely agree" — one of the most common expressions in formal and informal English. Literally: I could not possibly agree more than I do.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
After long negotiations, both sides finally _____ on the terms of the contract.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She was thrilled when the publisher _____ her manuscript.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Agree = share an opinion. Accept = receive or approve something concrete.
Typical error: "I accept with you." Wrong — you do not accept with someone. Correct: "I agree with you." And the reverse: "I agree the offer." Wrong — you do not agree an offer. Correct: "I accept the offer." Quick rule: agree with people and opinions. Accept with things, offers, invitations, responsibilities.
Agree = alignment of opinions (needs WITH for people: agree with someone). Accept = receiving something concrete (an offer, an invitation, an apology). Ask yourself: is it an opinion or position you share? = agree. Is it something concrete you receive or approve? = accept. "I agree with your plan" (I share your position). "I accept your plan" (I formally receive/approve your plan).
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy