to trace back
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to trace back
To track the origin, source, or course of something step by step back to its beginning.
Die Polizei konnte den Anruf bis zu einer Telefonzelle zurückverfolgen.
The police were able to trace the call back to a phone booth.
'Zurückverfolgen' (to trace back) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zurück' goes at the end in a main clause. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zurückzuverfolgen' is written as one word.
Die Historikerin verfolgte die Familiengeschichte bis ins Mittelalter zurück.
The historian traced the family history back to the Middle Ages.
In the meaning 'to find the origin', the verb is often used with abstract things. Typical combinations are 'einen Anruf' (a call), 'eine E-Mail' (an email), 'die Herkunft' (the origin), or 'die Geschichte' (the history) zurückverfolgen (to trace back).
Der Journalist konnte die Falschmeldung bis zur Quelle zurückverfolgen.
The journalist was able to trace the false report back to the source.
When it is about going along a path in the opposite direction, typical combinations are 'seine Schritte' (one's steps), 'den Weg' (the way), or 'die Spuren' (the tracks) zurückverfolgen (to retrace).
Wir mussten unsere Schritte zurückverfolgen, weil wir uns verlaufen hatten.
We had to retrace our steps because we had gotten lost.
to follow / pursue
'verfolgen' and 'zurückverfolgen' both mean that you follow a development or a trail. 'verfolgen' is more general: you follow an event, a development, or a person with attention. 'zurückverfolgen' means that you go back step by step in order to find the beginning, the origin, or the earlier path. The words can be confused because both express following a trail. The important point is the direction: 'verfolgen' often follows along with the current development, while 'zurückverfolgen' goes back to the origin.
Frau Weber kann den Fehler in der Rechnung bis zur ersten Bestellung zurückverfolgen.
Ms. Weber can trace the error in the invoice back to the first order.
Viele Menschen verfolgen die Nachrichten über den Sturm im Fernsehen.
Many people are following the news about the storm on television.