1) ACCEDE/EXCEED
If you drive too fast, you exceed the speed limit. “Accede” is a much rarer word meaning “give in,” “agree.”
2) ACCESS / GET ACCESS TO
“Access” is one of many nouns that’s been turned into a verb in recent years. Conservatives object to phrases like “you can access your account online.” Substitute “use,” “reach,” or “get access to” if you want to please them.
3) ACCESSORY
There’s an “ack” sound at the beginning of this word, though some mispronounce it as if the two “C’s” were to be sounded the same as the two “SS’s.”
4) ACCEPT/EXCEPT
If you offer me Godiva chocolates I will gladly accept them—except for the candied violet ones. Just remember that the “X” in “except” excludes things—they tend to stand out, be different. In contrast, just look at those two cozy “C’s” snuggling up together. Very accepting. And be careful; when typing “except” it often comes out “expect.”
5) ACCIDENTLY / ACCIDENTALLY
You can remember this one by remembering how to spell “accidental.” There are quite a few words with -ally suffixes (like “incidentally” ) which are not to be confused with words that have “-ly” suffixes (like “independently” ). “Incidental” is a word, but “independental” is not.