how to say this...

[JiriLindovsky]

Good evening,

I would like to express in a short way this situation:

"An idea has some good quality but subtle"

Is this translation correct?:

"There is a point in it"

Thanks for reply in advance. J.L.

 

[Amigos4]

Good evening,

I would like to express in a short way this situation:

"An idea has some good quality but subtle"

Is this translation correct?:

"There is a point in it"

Thanks for reply in advance. J.L.

Jiri,

Are you trying to say: 'Your excellent idea has great potential."

Cheers,
Amigos4

 

[David L.]

Are you writing a review? If so,

To the unwary, the subtlety of his writing might conceal the merits of his idea/view/opinion/belief.

 

[JiriLindovsky]

It is a compliment but I want to say something less strong.
J.L.

 

[David L.]

Are you sure you mean 'subtle' and not something like, 'flimsy'?

 

[JiriLindovsky]

Good afternoon Mr.David L.,

the reply was not only for You(it was intended for amigos4),
"flimsy" is maybe more precise then "subtle",although my dictionary reads that there are more meanings of this word.The sentence of amigos4 was ok, but too strong or cordial.

Thanks anyway, J.L.

 

[AstroNox]

Though it may be a compliment, is the connotation positive or negative?

Do you mean something like:
"Good point to note" (positive)
Or:
"Good idea but it's not good enough" (negative)

 

[JiriLindovsky]

I meant the first one,

thank You, J.L.

 

[AstroNox]

"There is a point in it" seems ok. I'd say how you continue from there makes more of an impact than those words per se. That's because the connotation in that sentence is pretty neutral, perhaps even inching to the negative side. I find it easier to continue with "but" or "however" (like "There's a point in it. But we must get our focus right, get that thing done first, etc."), or with something neutral ("There's a point in it. How would you like to incorporate it?", "Let's go ahead with...", "How will it affect the...").