Meaning of 付いてくる and 付いていく


While it may appear as possible duplicate [The difference between "follow"
using
についていく、「あと？」をつける、「あと？」をついていく](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/6475/the-
difference-between-follow-
using-%E3%81%AB%E3%81%A4%E3%81%84%E3%81%A6%E3%81%84%E3%81%8F-%E3%81%82%E3%81%A8-%E3%82%92%E3%81%A4%E3%81%91%E3%82%8B-%E3%81%82%E3%81%A8-%E3%82%92%E3%81%A4%E3%81%84%E3%81%A6%E3%81%84%E3%81%8F)
, the specificity here is a school/training context which was not discussed
previously

Is the current use in the sentences (to be able to keep with the studies) an
extension of the original meaning (to follow) ?

And what is the difference between 付いてくる and 付いていく ? (If there is)

The first sentence describes a group of friends that help children thar
dropped out:

> 課題のボランティア活動にはいくつか選択肢があり、学校の通常の授業に **ついていけない**
> 小学生(多くは不登校児童だ)を集めたアフタースクールの手伝いをするというのも、そのひとつだった

Second sentence: if you cannot keep up, you'll be punished !

> **ついてこられな** かったらお仕置きだからね‌




> Is the current use in the sentences (to be able to keep with the studies) an
> extension of the original meaning (to follow)?

Yes, of course. English speakers also say "I'm following you" meaning "I
understand what you are saying so far", so I don't think this usage is tricky.
Note that simple words like つく have [dozens of
meanings](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E3%81%A4%E3%81%8F/#jn-147036),
and many of them are related to one another.

> what is the difference between 付いてくる and 付いていく?

It's explained in this question: [Difference between -ていく and
-てくる](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/676/5010) This is a basic topic, so
please review your textbook, too. It may take time to digest it because
English has no direct equivalent of this construction.




> Is the current use in the sentences (to be able to keep with the studies) an
> extension of the original meaning (to follow)?

Yes, of course. English speakers also say "I'm following you" meaning "I
understand what you are saying so far", so I don't think this usage is tricky.
Note that simple words like つく have [dozens of
meanings](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E3%81%A4%E3%81%8F/#jn-147036),
and many of them are related to one another.

> what is the difference between 付いてくる and 付いていく?

It's explained in this question: [Difference between -ていく and
-てくる](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/676/5010) This is a basic topic, so
please review your textbook, too. It may take time to digest it because
English has no direct equivalent of this construction.

