Meaning & use
following a path
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
moving along a path or route, going in the same direction as it.
Grammar: This is the -ing form of 'follow a path'. It can describe a person, animal or thing: The dog is following a path.
Patterns
- be following a path
- following a path through something
- following a path to somewhere
We spent the morning following a path through the forest.
The robot is following a path marked on the floor.
Following a path on the map, she reached the village by noon.
Common combinations
- follow a path through the woods
- They followed a path through the woods to the lake.
- follow a path to the top
- We followed a path to the top of the hill.
- follow a narrow path
- The hikers followed a narrow path along the cliff.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tracing a route
- This emphasizes finding or marking the way, not simply moving along it.
- keeping to a path
- This means staying on the path, often to avoid danger, rather than just moving along it.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: following a path or following a route?
following a path vs following a route
A route is a planned way from one place to another; a path is a physical track you walk on.
Practice
The dog is ______ a path through the grass.
Choose one answer.
After 'is', we need the -ing form: 'is following'. 'Follow' and 'follows' do not fit after 'is', and 'followed' would mean the action is finished.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “following a path”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.