Accompany and attend are alike in meaning to go with, but each suggests a different relationship between persons. We accompany our equals, and attend those to whom we would show courtesy or to whom we are subordinate. When they refer to things, accompany and attend mean to be present with as a result of.

• A sense of accomplishment often accompanies hard effort; A feeling of depression attends many illnesses.

Escort and convoy are closely related, but escort is the broader term. To convoy means to accompany ships or vehicles for protection, while to escort is to go with them, or with persons, either for the purpose of guarding or as a mark of courtesy. Militarily, a land movement is escorted , a sea movement convoyed . During World War II, merchant ships were convoyed across the Pacific by the Navy. A troop march may be escorted by armed vehicles. As a mark of courtesy, a ship making its maiden voyage is escorted by other craft in or out of the harbour. A boy is expected to escort his date to the door.

Chaperon means to accompany, but carries the implication of guidance or supervision in the interests of protection or propriety. A young girl may be chaperoned by her aunt while travelling abroad; a sportsmaster may be asked to chaperon a basketball dance.

Conduct , like chaperon , suggests guidance as part of accompanying , but here the interest is merely to physically lead: Let’s hire a guide to conduct us through the old section of the city.