To-infinitive and Present participle

[pdh0224]

Dear teacher,

To determine Washington's true appearance, the research team is starting with Houdon's works. The sculptor visited Mount Vernon in October 1785 to observe Washington, making sketches, taking notes and using calipers and rules to measure his body.


Q : There are "to-infinitive" and "present participles". As we know, "to-infinitive" usually shows a purpose like "in order to", and "present participle" is usually used in referring to a past time. But in the sentence both "to- infinitive" and "present participle" show us the purpose.

Why did the sculptor visit Mount Vernon?

=> In order to observe Washington and making sketches, taking notes and using calipers and rules to measure his body.

It could also be interpreted in the other way.
The purpose of his visiting was to observe Washington. What he did there was making sketches , taking notes and using calipers and rules to measure his body.

I think the second is right.

What do you think?

[Alan]

Yes, the second is right.