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In the movie "The Hobbit", Erlond tells Gandalf:

You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth.

I'm not sure if there's any nuance with the use of the form to stand watch. If I were to say such a sentence, I'd say:

You are not the only guardian that is standing watch over Middle-earth.

Is there a difference in meaning between these two sentences?

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The first form is more ambiguous in meaning. It could mean:

You are not the only guardian who has ever stood watch over Middle-earth.

or:

You are not the only guardian currently standing watch over Middle-earth.

Your second version only has the second meaning.

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  • Is the first form less often heard in spoken English compared to the other forms? I mean, would I sound like e.g. character from a book or more formal when using the first form compared to the other two forms?
    – Pawel Batko
    Commented Aug 14, 2018 at 15:12
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    @PawełB - Your assumption is accurate, I think. Many things are uttered in Middle Earth in ways that you probably wouldn't hear at a pub or in a bus station.
    – J.R. ♦
    Commented Aug 14, 2018 at 15:27

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