rarely or never leaving their homes.

[newkeenlearner]

Why does the author use "leaving" instead of "leaves" here?

The Hikikomori are inhabitants of Tokyo who cannot cope with the mechanical coldness and robotic uniformity of a megacity and have become recluses, rarely or never leaving their homes.

Source: Vocabulary In Use (Upper-Intermediate)

 

[Matthew Wai]

The inhabitants have become recluses, rarely or never leaving their homes.

I consider 'leaving' a present participle modifying the subject 'The inhabitants'.

 

[Tarheel]

You would use "leave" if you said if this way:

...and they rarely or never leave their homes.

 

[newkeenlearner]

Can we say? I think the author used the -ing form to say the reason.

The Hikikomori are inhabitants of Tokyo who cannot cope with the mechanical coldness and robotic uniformity of a megacity and have become recluses, because they rarely or never leave their homes.

 

[Matthew Wai]

They have become recluses, and, as a result, they rarely or never leave their homes.

 

[teechar]

Why does the author use "leaving" instead of "leaves" here?

What made you think of the third-person singular form of the verb?

 

[GoesStation]

Can we say? I think the author used the -ing form to say the reason.

The Hikikomori are inhabitants of Tokyo who cannot cope with the mechanical coldness and robotic uniformity of a megacity and have become recluses, because they rarely or never leave their homes.

That is grammatically correct but it changes the meaning. The author expanded the idea of "recluses" by telling us these people stay home. Adding because says staying home is the reason or explanation.

 

[newkeenlearner]

What made you think of the third-person singular form of the verb?

I meant "leave". I made a mistake. :-|

 

[newkeenlearner]

That is grammatically correct but it changes the meaning. The author expanded the idea of "recluses" by telling us these people stay home. Adding because says staying home is the reason or explanation.

Thanks. I understand. We have to use "so" or "as a result" to keep the main meaning.
The Hikikomori are inhabitants of Tokyo who cannot cope with the mechanical coldness and robotic uniformity of a megacity and have become recluses, so they rarely or never leave their homes.

 

[Tarheel]

Thanks. I understand. We have to use "so" or "as a result" to keep the main meaning.
The Hikikomori are inhabitants of Tokyo who cannot cope with the mechanical coldness and robotic uniformity of a megacity and have become recluses, so they rarely or never leave their homes.

There is no need to tamper with the original. The writer starts off by explaining why they do what they do (never leave home), then he expands on the word "recluses" with "rarely or never leaving their homes", driving the point home. It is fine as is.