Which sentence sounds more natural?

Question

Despite all difficulties, I will continue with my quest to fight the end boss..

or

Despite all difficulties, I will continue with my quest fighting the end boss...

I know that the first one includes an infinitive and the second one a present participle. Does the meaning of this sentence change accordingly to any of this structures?
Could you explain to me why?

Thank you!

Clive · Accepted Answer

First, please explain.
What does 'the end boss' mean, and why will you fight him or her?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

You need to give meaningful sentences as an example

Sometimes an infinitive clause and a participle clause are interchangeable. Other times they are not. Sometimes the meaning changes, and sometimes not.

These have the same meaning. Note the use of a gerund.
This year I made progress on my goal to graduate with honors.
This year I made progress on my goal of graduating with honors.

These do not have the same meaning.
I tried my best to get good grades.
I tried my best, getting good grades.

These can have the same meaning. (Note that the second sentence can be interpreted two different ways.)
I will continue with my quest to defeat the aliens from planet X.
I will continue with my quest, defeating the aliens from planet X.

Anonymous · Answer

Hmm. I though my sentence is meaningful?

"Although there are difficulties, I will try to defeat the end boss (video game endboss)"
= Despite all difficulties, I will continue with my quest to fight the end boss..

Can you tell me the difference in meaning between your example sentences:

"I tried my best go get good grades." (my assumption: You try the best because you want to have good grades, there is intention involved)
"I tried my best, getting good grades" (assumption: While I was getting good grades, I tried my very best on something else?)

And why does "I will continue with my quest, defeating the aliens from planet X" have two different meanings?
I've already studied the participle phrase for some time, but these sentences, when the participle comes right after an object still confuse my sometimes...

Thank you!

AlpheccaStars · Answer

AnonymousHmm. I though my sentence is meaningful?

It is not meaningful if the readers have no idea of the context.
Games or characters in a game are proper nouns and must be capitalized.
That is essential when the name is made up of common nouns like "end" and "boss."

"Although there are difficulties, I will try to defeat End Boss." (One character named End Boss.)
"Although there are difficulties, I will try to defeat the End Boss." (There are many Bosses in the game, and one is called the End Boss.)

AnonymousCan you tell me the difference in meaning between your example sentences:

"I tried my best go get good grades." (my assumption: You try the best because you want to have good grades, there is intention involved - yes.)
"I tried my best, getting good grades" (I tried my best and in that effort I got good grades..)

Anonymous"I will continue with my quest, defeating the aliens from planet X" have two different meanings?

Meaning 1: "defeating the aliens from planet X" is a noun phrase in apposition to "quest."
My quest is defeating the aliens from planet X. This is what most people would assume.

Meaning 2: You have a quest to defeat all the aliens. They come from planets X, Y and Z. You already are defeating the X aliens, but you have to continue in the quest to defeat those from Y and Z.

Which sentence sounds more natural?

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