Observe o uso de gerúndio nas frases grifadas. O gerúndio pode ser usado em diferentes circunstâncias. Por que ele foi usado nestes casos específicos?

1. Criticism is telling someone that they need to improve or become better.
2. He is worried about losing his job.
3. Please take the dishes to the sink when you finish eating.
4. Doctors say that swimming is good for people who have asthma.
5. Are you learning how to dance?
6. I can't stand waiting in line.
7. Smoking is a very unhealthy habit.
8. I read an interesting text about criticism.

(    ) Porque a frase está no present continuous
(    ) Porque a palavra é um substantivo derivado de um verbo
(    ) Porque a palavra é um adjetivo derivado de um verbo
(    ) Porque o verbo é o sujeito de uma oração
(    ) Porque o verbo é o objeto de uma oração
(    ) Porque vem depois de uma preposição
(    ) Porque vem depois de um verbo que exige a forma ing (appreciate, avoid, deny, enjoy, finish, keep, mind, risk, stop)
(    ) porque vem depois de uma expressão que exige o uso de -ing (can't help, it's no good, it's no use, be worth e feel like)

Algimas das frases para o exercício acima foram tiradas deste texto, publicada pelo site Englishtown (www.englishtown.com.br) em 18/09/2000:

Direct and Indirect Criticism

Criticism is telling someone that they need to improve or become better. In the United States, some people are more likely to criticize others directly. However, in other cultures, people might criticize others,especially those who are older or are in positions of power, more indirectly.

Direct criticism means being honest and clear. One example is telling someone, "I don't like what you did". This is also a kind of criticism that leaves the person feeling that they are good but their actions are bad.

Indirect criticism means that you don't say anything that criticizes the person you are speaking to. You might tell a person that bothered you a story that refers to their actions. For example, if your girlfriend or boyfriend is jealous, you might tell him or her a story about how you were in a relationship before and it really bothered you because your girlfriend/boyfriend at the time acted in a very jealous way whenever you did things with friends of the opposite sex. (Women going out with male friends or Men going out with female friends). Your story explains your feelings but does not directly criticize the person you are speaking with.

Agora, personalize a sua leitura ao responder estas perguntas:

1) Do you think there are other ways of criticizing people?
2) How do you tend to criticize people?
3) How do you react when you are criticized?
4) Do you think men and women usually have a different way of criticizing others? Who is more direct?