Their ideas are (? of some) merit but there are better ways

[duiter]

Dear all,

In this sentence

Their ideas are of some merit but there are better ways

Can I delete "of some" ?

Many thanks

[BobK]

Dear all,

In this sentence

Their ideas are of some merit but there are better ways

Can I delete "of some" ?

Many thanks

No. If you want to change it, here are some alternatives:

• Their ideas have some merit, but there are better ways.
• Their ideas are meritorious [odd-sounding, but with this structure you need an adjective] but there are better ways
• Their ideas are worth thinking about/considering/looking at..., but there are better ways

b