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  1. The whole class was working hard preparing for the exam.
  2. The whole class was working hard to prepare for the exam.

What are the differences between these two sentences?

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  • Hello, and welcome to EL&U. What does your research show?
    – rajah9
    Commented Jan 27, 2020 at 11:50
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    Preparing for the exam was what their work consisted of. To prepare was the reason why they were working so hard.
    – Kate Bunting
    Commented Jan 27, 2020 at 13:12
  • The first sentence has a gerund complement governed by work. The second sentence has a purpose infinitive (not a complement). Since the gerund complement of work describes the work being done, this turns out to be the same as the purpose infinitive, with this verb. But not necessarily with any other verb.
    – John Lawler
    Commented Jan 27, 2020 at 17:20

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