Accompanying or accompaning? Which one is correct? This is a common question that many English learners find themselves pondering. The answer is quite simple: “accompanying” is the correct form. Let me explain why.
When we use “accompany,” we typically mean to go somewhere with someone or something. It implies being in the presence of someone or something as a companion. And when we want to describe the action of being with someone or something, we use the present participle form of the verb, which in this case is “accompanying.”
For example, let’s say you are going to a concert with your friend. You would use the word “accompanying” to describe your friend’s role in this situation. You might say, “My friend is accompanying me to the concert.” Here, “accompanying” is used as a present participle to describe your friend’s action of being with you at the concert. It is crucial to note that we always use “accompanying” as a verb, not as an adjective.
To further illustrate this point, let’s consider another example. Imagine you are going on a trip and you need a travel companion. You might post an advertisement that says, “Seeking a travel companion. Accompanying me on a trip to Europe.” In this case, “accompanying” is again used as a verb to describe the action of someone joining you on the trip.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the word “accompaning,” the alternative form that some people mistakenly use. “Accompaning” is not correct and is not recognized in standard English usage. It is easy to see why people may get confused, as the letter “i” appears in the word “accompany,” but this is not the case when forming the present participle.
Imagine we were to use “accompaning” as the correct form. The sentence, “My friend is accompaning me to the concert,” would sound strange and unnatural to native speakers. It would be like saying, “My friend is greeting me” instead of “My friend is greeting me” or “My friend is eated lunch” instead of “My friend is eating lunch.” The correct form simply sounds more natural and is aligned with standard grammar rules.
It is important to remember that in English, there are many irregular verbs that take on different forms when changing from the base form to the present participle. In the case of “accompany,” the base form is “accompany,” and the present participle form is “accompanying.” This is a regular change, and there is no need for an additional “i” to be added.
In conclusion, the correct form is “accompanying.” This is the present participle form of the verb “accompany” and is used to describe the action of being with someone or something as a companion. Remember to use “accompanying” as a verb, not as an adjective, and avoid using the incorrect form “accompaning.” Now that we have cleared up this confusion, you can confidently use “accompanying” in your spoken and written English. Happy learning!