A more formal way to say “is a good idea” in a science paper
I would like to know how to say ¨is a good idea¨ in a formal setting.
After reading your comments, I add some context: I have quoted a sentence from a soil scientist in a paper that I have submitted to a well-known International Journal. Sentence:
Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) is a good idea in any situation to generate or maintain healthy soils.
Lehmann, J., 2009. Biological carbon sequestration must and can be a win-win approach. An editorial comment 459–463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-009-9695-y
A peer reviewer of my manuscript from that International Journal, in his suggested corrections, wrote:
‘Please, substitute “is a good idea”. You should use formal English’.
If I understand correctly, you are you are quoting the following sentence from a previously published paper written by someone else:
Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) is a good idea in any situation to generate or maintain healthy soils.
If that is the case, then you cannot change someone else's words because a reviewer of your paper doesn't like it. You could make it an indirect quote, but I think that rather defeats the point of quoting it. I think you should ignore this "correction" (and explain why, if necessary/possible).
I agree that the word choice is not ideal. Two words in particular come to mind:
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advisable: fit to be advised or done; prudent
Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) is advisable in any situation to generate or maintain healthy soils.
(Note: prudent is also a good choice.)
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recommended:
Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) is recommended in any situation to generate or maintain healthy soils.
In a “formal” setting, a lot depends on the nature of the formality and the people being addressed. I’m guessing that the idea is good to you, but that you’re looking for a word that appeals to a specific audience you have in mind. Here are some guesses about what might work for an audience focused on intellectual quality:
- a reasonable idea,
- an inspired idea,
- a clever idea.
On the other hand, some audiences might be more interested in the idea’s emotional appeal, and prefer something along the following lines:
- an attractive idea,
- a winning idea,
- a compelling idea.
The key, though, is to use the terms of reference set by your audience. Doctors are different from city planners. Bankers and engineers have different world views and different ideas of “good”. Best of luck in your search for le mot juste.