Suppose the motion of a particle is given by

x  = 4cos t    ⇒  x/4  = cos t

y  = sin t

So...using  cos^2 t  +  sin^2 t  =  1, we have

(x/4)^2  + y^2   =  1

x^2 / 16  + y^2   =  1

This is an ellipse

When t  = 0   we have (4,0)

When t  = pi/2  we have  (0, 1)

When t  =  pi  we have (-4, 0)

When t  = 3pi/2  we have (0, -1)

When t   2pi  we have (4, 0)

So....the curve is traced out in a counter-clockwise direction

Here's the graph :  https://www.desmos.com/calculator/yscc2qxqsk