Took off in

Question

When he saw me coming he took off in the opposite direction.

I don't know why the preposition should be 'in,' and not to.

I think you may say, 'He took off to the train station.

But you don't say '~~ he took off to the opposiite direction?'

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Sorry, but it is just idiomatic, I suppose: to go/move/advance/take off/ stroll/ row/ drive/ etc. in the direction of...

Bepleased · Answer

'He took off to the train station. -----to = unto = the result of an action;

-----He took off, so as to be in the train station.

He went to the train station.

----He went, so as to be in the train station.

He took off in the direction of .... [in] = to = according to / in connection with / in regard to

There, the [in] can be replaced with [to], [for], but this [to], [for] different from that [to]in took off to.

Moon7296 · Answer

Ah... 'in' in the sentence can be replaced with 'to' or 'for'. But the meanings are not the same?

So.. if we say 'He took off in the opposite direction', this doesn't mean 'He took off to the opposite direction'?

I don't see the difference

How are they interpreted?

Thank you^^

Bepleased · Answer

moon7296Ah... 'in' in the sentence can be replaced with 'to' or 'for'. But the meanings are not the same? So.. if we say 'He took off in the opposite direction', this doesn't mean 'He took off to the opposite direction'?I don't see the difference How are they interpreted? Thank you^^

Hi,

1. took off in the direction------

[in] shows an intended aim towards which the action---taking off directed;

used to stress the action--taking off is controled by the direction;

2. took off to where-----[to] shows the result of the action;

[to] used to stress the action--taking off has where as a result at the end;

Took off in

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