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PHOTO BY YOSUKE KAWAGUCHI

Monday 05th May, 08:07 AM JST

Rafting enthusiasts challenge the Tone River in Minakamicho, Gunma Prefecture, on Sunday.

Latest 15 of 21 Total Comments Show All

Farmboy at 11:24 AM JST - 5th May

Challenge is a verb and requires a human object in most versions of English. "I challenged JoeBob to a game of checkers." It is often used with non-human objects in Japan, though, and is sometimes used without an object in cases other than those flammenwerfer mentioned.

My question is if you challenge the Tone River and you lose, are you toast, or are you just wet?
motown at 11:54 AM JST - 5th May

Challenging the law? How many people are packed on this boat? Also, broad horizontal view of pic will look more attractive.

Ehm, there are two boats in the picture. The wee people who seem to be in the middle of the boat are actually in a boat behind the main one. One effect of telephoto lenses is to compress distance so objects appear next to each other when in fact they are separated by some distance.
Farmboy at 12:15 PM JST - 5th May

motown,

Ulp. yes..challenging the law...challenging a decision...
bushlover at 12:20 PM JST - 5th May

I see nothing wrong with the caption. Some people just try to read too much into every article. It must be the ... oops can't say that for fear of being deleted.
soothsayer at 12:34 PM JST - 5th May

bushlover,

I see nothing wrong with the caption.

Good thing you're not an English teacher.
Azrael at 01:23 PM JST - 5th May

Awesome photo~!
keshii at 01:32 PM JST - 5th May

Being a fairly outdoorsy person, I've heard the phrase "challenge the elements" plenty of times, and by derivation, "challenge the mountain". I will agree it's a bit funny in this context, but am (as always) amused by the amount of commentary that has been stimulated.
rjdsr at 03:54 PM JST - 5th May

please tell you aren't an English teacher.

Nope. Never even met one.
pizzaboy at 06:45 PM JST - 5th May

Awesome pic, looks like fun.
opposite13 at 11:54 PM JST - 5th May

please tell you aren't an English teacher.

Nope. Never even met one.

Which explains why you didn't know that "challenge" can indeed be a verb. Sheesh. Instead of ordering JT to "fix it", I'd sooner ask you to "look it up"!
NotJohnWayne at 07:27 AM JST - 6th May

Typical JT commentary... a fantastic shot combining sport & nature, and everyone is discussing the caption...

Looks like a great time... but given the snow on the mountain, I bet the water is COLD!
Nessie at 09:21 AM JST - 6th May

"Challenge" here is a usage error. Pure Janglish. And "challenge" is NOT an adjective, Flammen. Ever. Remember that the next time someone tries to sell you a fast, cherry-red, challenge convertible sports car.
flammenwerfer at 09:52 AM JST - 6th May

"challenge" is NOT an adjective,

yeah it is:

–adjective. donated or given by a private, corporate, or government benefactor on condition that the recipient raise an additional specified amount from the public: a challenge grant.

so there.

Moderator: Readers, please stay on topic.
flammenwerfer at 05:25 PM JST - 6th May

a fantastic shot combining sport & nature

.....yes it a great shot slightly tarnished by two large concrete bridges and one large electricity pylon, I guess is hard to get a clean shot with a pristine background.
bushlover at 10:33 AM JST - 9th May

I'm glad I'm not an English Teacher anymore too. But I still think Challenge is a verb and a noun. Yes looked it up. My Eiingulishu is not as bad as soothsayer's.