accompany
B1Neutral to formal. Common in written and spoken language.
Definition
Meaning
To go somewhere with someone; to be present or occur at the same time as something else.
To provide musical support (e.g., playing an instrument) for a singer or another instrument; to supplement or complement something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a relationship between the subject and the object where the subject provides presence, support, or addition. The object is the primary focus (the person going, the main musical part, the main element).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core usage. Minor spelling differences in derived forms (accompanist, accompaniment).
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SUBJ + accompany + OBJ (person/thing)OBJ (person/thing) + be accompanied by + SUBJ (person/thing)SUBJ (person) + accompany + OBJ (person) + prepositional phrase (e.g., to/on)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “accompany someone to the door”
- “accompany something with a sigh/shrug”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The financial report is accompanied by a detailed executive summary."
Academic
"The rise in temperature is accompanied by significant glacial retreat."
Everyday
"Will you accompany me to the shops?"
Technical
"The surgery was accompanied by continuous hemodynamic monitoring."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Would you like me to accompany you to the station?
- The singer was accompanied on the piano by her brother.
- Strong winds will accompany the storm front.
American English
- I can accompany you to the store if you'd like.
- He accompanied the vocalist on guitar.
- The policy change was accompanied by a public awareness campaign.
adverb
British English
- N/A (Not a standard adverb form)
American English
- N/A (Not a standard adverb form)
adjective
British English
- The accompanying booklet provides full instructions.
- There are several accompanying symptoms to watch for.
American English
- Please review the accompanying documentation.
- The main charge and all accompanying fees are listed.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- I will accompany you home.
- The steak was accompanied by a fresh salad.
- She agreed to accompany him to the party.
- His speech was accompanied by a series of compelling graphs.
- Economic growth is often accompanied by increased inequality.
- The pianist expertly accompanied the mezzo-soprano through the challenging aria.
- The treaty's ratification was accompanied by a flurry of diplomatic activity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COMPANY: a group of people who are together. To ACCOMPANY is to join someone, to be in their company.
Conceptual Metaphor
TOGETHERNESS IS ACCOMPANIMENT (e.g., 'Sadness accompanied his victory')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating the Russian 'сопровождать' in all contexts; e.g., 'The book is accompanied by illustrations' is correct, but 'He accompanied her home' is more natural than 'He accompanied her to home.'
- Do not use 'accompany' for inanimate objects leading other inanimate objects in a spatial sense (e.g., 'The road goes along the river' not 'accompanies').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'accompany with' incorrectly (e.g., 'He accompanied with me' is wrong; correct: 'He accompanied me').
- Confusing 'accompany' (active) with 'follow' (which implies sequence, not simultaneous partnership).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'accompany' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Accompany' is more general and neutral, focusing on togetherness. 'Escort' often implies protection, guidance, or formality (e.g., a security escort, escorting a dignitary).
Yes. It is commonly used for things that occur together (e.g., 'Thunder accompanied the lightning', 'The manual is accompanied by a DVD').
When referring to a person you go with, no preposition is needed: 'accompany someone'. For instruments, use 'on': 'accompany on piano'. The passive form often uses 'by': 'accompanied by'. For supplementary items, 'with' can be used: 'accompanied with a note'.
It is neutral. It is suitable for both everyday contexts ('accompany a friend') and formal writing ('accompanied by the relevant forms').