I’m glad the focus groups are responding so well to the prototype of our tablet computer.

[kadioguy]

[From a TOEIC test]

Hi, Magda. Just calling to say I reivewed your product development report. I’m glad the focus groups are responding so well to the prototype of our tablet computer.
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1. Why is the present progressive used? Does that mean the speaker thinks that that is still ture at the present but could change later?

2. How about "responded"? I think that that could also work but simply mean that the respond happened in the past. That is, "are responding" and "responded" have subtle differences in meaning in the context.

What do you think?

 

[jutfrank]

1. No. It's because the action is still in progress.
2. Right, but I wouldn't call the difference in meaning 'subtle'.

 

[SoothingDave]

I read it to mean that there has been more than one focus group, and such testing is continuing. Introducing the product to focus groups is a continuing operation.

 

[kadioguy]

1. No. It's because the action is still in progress.

I read it to mean that there has been more than one focus group, and such testing is continuing. Introducing the product to focus groups is a continuing operation.

Thank you both. SoothingDave, your reply explained jutfrank's well.

 

[kadioguy]

1. No. It's because the action is still in progress.

I read it to mean that there has been more than one focus group, and such testing is continuing. Introducing the product to focus groups is a continuing operation.

Another scenario could be that the focus groups have finished some item tests and there are other item tests awaiting them.

Does this make sense?

 

[SoothingDave]

It's not likely that a particular focus group is meeting more than once. It's normal to test the same product with different groups.