Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[glorios]

ex) Unlike other regions, gat-making was a job for women on
Jeju Island. Master gat maker Kang Sun-ja (followed in) her
mother's footsteps.


from the above sentence, if one put just 'followed' like 'followed
her mother's footsteps.

Is it wrong to say or awkward expressions?

what is the difference in meanings of the two cases.

[scottish_tiger]

Hello glorios,

In the case of your example, it would be better to say "followed in", as in this case, Kang Sun-ja has made a decision to work in the same career as her mother, rather than follow behind her mother like a young child would. In English this kind of use of words or phrases to paint a picture which describes a situation/person or setting is called a "metaphor".

I hope that this helps you with your question.

Regards

Scottish Tiger
_________________
I am always happy to help you learn English.

[glorios]

thank you but
could you explain more about 'in'
< the milk is (in) the jug>

Unlike the above sentence,

what mataphorical meaning does 'In' have in the previous sentence?

best regards

[pinenut]