company
company — verb
- companypresent simple I / you / we / they
- companies3rd person singular
- companying-ing form
- companiedpast simple
1. to go somewhere with someone in order to keep them company or make sure they are
to go somewhere with someone in order to keep them company or make sure they are safe
Putri companied her grandmother to the weekly market every Saturday morning.
company + object + to [place]
The security officer companied the visitor to the front gate of the factory.
Iker companied his younger sister to the library so she would not walk alone.
A nurse companied the elderly patient from the ward to the X-ray room downstairs.
Dahlia companied her visiting cousin to the night market despite feeling very tired that evening.
文法句型
company + object
用法筆記
Frequently used in formal or literary contexts. In everyday conversation the verb 'accompany' is far more common. The object is always a person — a family member, guest, or someone needing assistance.
常見錯誤
2. to spend time with a particular person or group, especially one that other peopl
to spend time with a particular person or group, especially one that other people consider unsuitable or morally questionable
Padma's parents warned her not to company with the older crowd at the skate park.
company + with + [person/group] — negative connotation
The old fisherman was known for companying with sailors from every port along the coast.
Kwame had been companying with a group of musicians who practised in an abandoned warehouse.
The villagers disapproved of anyone who companied with the outlaws hiding in the nearby hills.
Mert refused to company with colleagues who spread lies about their coworkers.
- associate
neutral register, far more common than 'company' in modern English
- mix
informal, suggests casual social interaction
- fraternise
formal, often used in military or institutional contexts
文法句型
company + with + someone
用法筆記
Requires the preposition 'with'. Frequently carries a negative or disapproving connotation suggesting the person or group associated with is of questionable character. The proverb 'a man is known by the company he keeps' reflects this sense.
常見錯誤
company — noun
- companysingular
- companiesplural
1. A group of people working together to make products or carry out paid work with
A group of people working together to make products or carry out paid work with the aim of earning money.
Benjamin works for a software company that creates apps for hospitals.
countable noun: a company / two companies
The company announced plans to open three new stores in Taiwan next year.
Jiwoo started her own company selling handmade pottery at local craft markets.
That delivery company offers same-day shipping across the whole island.
- firm
slightly more formal, often used in professional contexts
- corporation
a large legally structured company, often with shareholders
- business
broader term covering any commercial activity, not necessarily a formal organization
常見錯誤
2. The condition of having someone near you so that you are not alone, or the peopl
The condition of having someone near you so that you are not alone, or the people who are with you in such a situation.
After the funeral, Sade was grateful for the company of her closest friends.
pattern: be grateful for the company of [someone]
Tuan enjoys the company of other passengers during his long train rides to work.
Élise missed the company of her university classmates after moving to a new city.
Being in the company of cheerful people made Felix feel more hopeful about his situation.
- companionship
warmer, more emotional than 'company'; suggests closeness
- presence
more neutral; simply 'being there' without the warmth of 'company'
- solitude
the state of being alone, especially by choice
- loneliness
unhappy feeling of being alone
用法筆記
Uncountable — do not use 'a company' when you mean the presence of others (that would switch to the BUSINESS sense). Use 'the company of [someone]' or 'some company'.
常見錯誤
3. Having the quality of being enjoyable and interesting to spend time with, used w
Having the quality of being enjoyable and interesting to spend time with, used with 'be' and an adjective such as good, wonderful, or excellent.
Benjamin's grandfather is wonderful company — he tells the best stories about his childhood.
pattern: be + [adjective] + company
Kian is always great company on long drives because he sings and tells jokes.
The tour guide was excellent company, sharing local legends along the walking route.
Even on rainy days, Heloísa is good company because her cheer lifts others up.
- entertaining person
more specific; focuses on being amusing rather than generally pleasant
- pleasant companion
warmer, more personal than the abstract 'good company'
- bore
someone who is dull and makes time feel slow
用法筆記
Only used with 'be' + an adjective (good / wonderful / excellent / great company). Cannot be used before a noun (❌ 'a good-company friend'). Distinguish from sense 2 (PRESENCE OF OTHERS), which describes the state of not being alone — sense 3 evaluates the quality of the person you are with.
常見錯誤
4. To feel comfortable and content while spending time by yourself, without needing
To feel comfortable and content while spending time by yourself, without needing other people around you.
Aaron is perfectly happy with his own company and spends most weekends reading at home.
pattern: be happy with / enjoy + one's own company
After years of living alone, Grandmother had learned to enjoy her own company.
Eitan is rarely lonely — he values his own company and paints during quiet time.
Diya turned down the dinner invitation because she prefers her own company on Friday nights.
- be self-sufficient
broader; can refer to practical independence, not just emotional comfort being alone
- be independent
general trait of not relying on others, not specific to solitude
- need company
the opposite — feeling uncomfortable when alone
- lonely
the negative emotional state of wanting but lacking company
用法筆記
A possessive adjective (my / your / his / her / their / one's) is required before 'own company'. Common with verbs like 'enjoy', 'prefer', 'be happy with', and 'value'.
常見錯誤
5. An activity done with the aim of reducing the feeling of being alone, especially
An activity done with the aim of reducing the feeling of being alone, especially when nobody else is around.
Jiwoo turned on the radio for company while she cooked dinner in her small kitchen.
pattern: [noun/activity] for company
Caleb brings his dog along for company whenever he goes hiking in the mountains.
The man kept the TV on all day for company, even without watching it.
Sade kept a small plant on her desk for company during late nights at work.
用法筆記
Always follows a noun or verb phrase describing the activity: [verb] [something] for company. Distinguish from sense 6 (KEEP COMPANY) — sense 5 involves objects or background activities (radio, TV, pet), not active human presence.
6. To stay physically near someone in order to prevent them from feeling lonely, of
To stay physically near someone in order to prevent them from feeling lonely, often because they are sad, sick, or waiting for something.
Tuan stayed late at the hospital to keep his grandmother company after her surgery.
pattern: keep + [someone] + company
Felix's sister asked him to keep her company while she waited for the school bus.
Élise kept her roommate company by watching films with her after she received bad news.
Volunteers visit the shelter every Sunday to keep the elderly residents company.
- leave alone
to stop being with someone
- abandon
stronger; to leave someone who needs you
用法筆記
The person being accompanied is always the object of 'keep' (keep + someone + company). Cannot be rearranged as 'keep company with someone' (that pattern belongs to a different, older idiom meaning 'associate with').
常見錯誤
7. a team of professional performers — such as actors, dancers, or musicians — who
a team of professional performers — such as actors, dancers, or musicians — who work together to put on shows, often as part of a named organisation.
Mateo joined a theatre company that toured small towns across the country.
collocation: theatre company + toured [area]
The ballet company will perform Swan Lake at the city hall next month.
Aylin's dance company was invited to perform at a festival in Kyoto this spring.
The Riverside Theatre Company cancelled 'The Glass Garden' after losing its main donor.
The company of young actors put on three different plays during the winter season.
用法筆記
Frequently used as part of an organisation's official name (e.g., 'the Royal Shakespeare Company'). Refers specifically to professional performing groups — not to amateur or casual performance groups.
常見錯誤
8. a subdivision of a battalion in an army, typically made up of several platoons a
a subdivision of a battalion in an army, typically made up of several platoons and led by a captain or major.
Captain Felix commanded a company of about one hundred soldiers during the mission.
captain + commanded a company + number of soldiers
Each company in the regiment carried its own flag with a special symbol.
The soldiers in Third Company set up their camp near the river before dawn.
Yuna's father served in a supply company that delivered food to the front line.
The company commander ordered the troops to move east before the sun rose.
用法筆記
A formal military term. A company is a sub-unit of a battalion, typically commanded by a captain and made up of several platoons. Units are often referred to by a number or letter — e.g., 'Alpha Company', '3rd Company' — rather than by a name.
常見錯誤
9. a local organised group of Girl Guides (or Girl Scouts) that meets regularly for
a local organised group of Girl Guides (or Girl Scouts) that meets regularly for activities, skill development, and community service.
The local Guide company met every Saturday to work on their outdoor skills badges.
Guide company + meet for [activity]
Kenji's sister joined a Guide company that focused on environmental projects.
The Guide company organised a bake sale to raise money for the animal shelter.
Amihan volunteered to help her daughter's Guide company with the camping trip.
用法筆記
Primarily British English. In the US, the equivalent group is almost always called a 'troop'. The same organisational structure applies to younger sections — a 'Brownie company' follows the same pattern. Not used in American English for scouting groups.