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A product has already been put into mass market,we can buy it everywhere,so,when I want to write an introduction for this product,should I use

XXX is designed to do sth.

or

XXX was designed to do sth.

Does this two have different meanings?If not, which one will be better?

FumbleFingers
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lalalalala
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    For your exact context, it really makes no difference to the meaning, and neither version is "better" than the other. In other contexts ("Thumbscrews were* designed to inflict maximum pain without causing death", "This product we're working on is designed to appeal to everyone")* the normal relevance of verb tense applies. – FumbleFingers Aug 13 '14 at 17:26
  • Why doesn't use Thumbscrews are designed to inflict maximum pain...What's the difference?Thanks – lalalalala Aug 13 '14 at 17:50
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    "Thumbscrews are designed ..." implies that they are still in use. Since torture is frowned on these days we should use past tense. – Phil Aug 13 '14 at 18:04

1 Answers1

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As FumbleFingers said there is no difference in meaning. Consistency of verb tense and the implied usage is all that matters.

Trying to sell a product

"This product we're working on is designed to appeal to everyone"

"The WaveTek Washer is designed to do your laundry in half the time with half the water!"

"The element of an electric oven is designed to produce 3.3kW of heat when connected to a 240-V source"

Using the present tense puts emphasis on the product being new and desirable. "Is designed" is most commonly heard in descriptions of function or purpose.

Talking about a product

Thumbscrews were designed to inflict maximum pain without causing death"

A: "Why didn't your phone break when you fell in the lake?" B: "My phone was designed to be waterproof."

"Classical music was designed to share the composers emotion with the world"

The past tense here is suitable since both speakers are talking about the past: both the dropping of the phone and the design obviously occurred in the past. "Was designed" is most commonly heard when talking about a product.

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Phil
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