Use of to

[Beetle]

Hi guys,
I was wondering what the use of character "to" after a verb means. (sorry about the romaji but I'm on a iPad and have not worked out how to use the language settings) an example is "nazotte iku to" it means "difficult to follow" but I often see "to" after verbs is there a standard meaning or patern for the use of this particle in that position.
Thanks Brendan

 

[Toritoribe]

"The present form of a verb + to" is a conditional, thus, "nazotte iku to" means "when/if tracing it", not "difficult to follow".

 

[nahadef]

When used as a conjunction, it works like 'when' ('when it rains, I get sad'). And it is used as 'have to' with the negative of verbs, like, ikanai to, 'I have to go', though it's easy to imagine it as, 'if I don't go...'

 

[Mark of Zorro]

"nazotte iku to" means "when/if tracing it",

Could also be translated as "If you/one goes ahead and follows/ traces the path/way, (then)...." Lots of implied words in Japanese....although the "go ahead and" is usually omitted in translations where "iku" is combined with another verb...anyway, my translation is more like the common usage rather than a dictionary translation, that said....

If anyone has a problem with my translation, speak up. While I think I do bring important new perspective to the table my translations also may come with certain flaws as I am not a textbook student.

 

[Toritoribe]

That's because "iku" in "~te iku" form is an auxiliary verb whose major function is to express continuous action/movement in the time line, i.e., it doesn't always connote an actual action "to go".

https://jref.com/threads/て・＋行く・＋来る-grammar.49088/