keep someone company
/kiːp ˈsʌmwʌn ˈkʌmpəni/
Meaning
This phrase means to stay with someone so that they do not feel lonely or bored. It is a warm, friendly, and highly conversational expression, often used when offering to wait with someone, sit with them during a task, or visit them.
Examples
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I'll stay here and keep you company while you wait for the bus.
I'll stay here and keep you company while you wait for the bus.
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My dog always keeps me company when I work from home.
My dog always keeps me company when I work from home.
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She went to the kitchen to keep her mother company while she cooked.
She went to the kitchen to keep her mother company while she cooked.
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Would you like me to keep you company, or do you prefer to be alone?
Would you like me to keep you company, or do you prefer to be alone?
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He asked his sister to go on the road trip with him just to keep him company.
He asked his sister to go on the road trip with him just to keep him company.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I will make you company while you wait.
✓ I will keep you company while you wait.
The correct verb is "keep," not "make" or "do" in this idiom.
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✗ She stayed to keep company to her grandmother.
✓ She stayed to keep her grandmother company.
The pronoun or person must go between "keep" and "company" (keep [someone] company).
Related Expressions
Practice
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I'll stay here and ___ while you wait for your flight.
💡 Stay with you so you are not alone.
Show answer
keep you company
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She bought a cat to ___ in her new apartment.
💡 Prevent her from feeling lonely.
Show answer
keep her company