English language question...

[VJ]

I'm writing a paper, and have a simple English language question...

Is "it stands to reason" still used (in a scientific paper)?
Or is it better to replace it by something else?



Jörg

[KvHagedorn]

It's something of a cliche, but yes, used properly, it should be fine. What is the rest of the sentence/paragraph?

[VJ]

Euhm, pulling the sentence out of its context will make it appear quite odd...

But I'm sure it will be ok, I just wasn't sure if this construction was ok in current texts (it could have been an archaic form).


Jörg

[KvHagedorn]

Well it is rather vague, so if you use it in a scientific paper, you'd better be sure you give the specific reasons it stands to.

[Brian Ellis]

It's somewhat informal for a scientific paper, IMHO.

I feel that, "Logically, a should be greater than b" is better than, "It stands to reason that a should be greater than b". If "logically" is too cut and dried, there are plenty of nuances:
naturally, (as a matter) of course, needless to say, to be sure, certainly, surely, not unexpectedly, as expected or anticipated, obviously, clearly, consequently, as a consequence or result:

[VJ]

KvH: yes, of course, there must be an explanation as to why it stands to reason.

Brian: Odd, I didn't interpret it as informal... But you offer some very nice alternatives.


Jörg

[cjolley]

Brian: Odd, I didn't interpret it as informal... But you offer some very nice alternatives.

Jörg

He has written a lot of scientific papers, so it stands to reason he could give you some good advice.

[VJ]

ROFLMAO


Jörg

[dshumake]

I would just use: Therefore,


dshumake

[xortam]

He has written a lot of scientific papers, so it stands to reason he could give you some good advice.

Chuck's posts are always good for a Chuck'le.

[Gurm]

It'z alwayz best to say:

"Listen up, motherbizzles! A iz bettah den B 'cuz I said so, an' dat's da HOLE TRUFE!"

Best to wave 'roun' yo' 9 whilez ya talking. People sit up, pay attention. WHACK!

[VJ]

Righ' on bro! Tha iz tellin 'em!

(but I doubt my colleagues will allow my paper through if I phrase it like that...)


Jörg

[Gurm]

Righ' on bro! Tha iz tellin 'em!

(but I doubt my colleagues will allow my paper through if I phrase it like that...)


Jörg

You needs a higher kalibah of "colleagues" den. My "associates" are more den happy to hear such eluci-dations whilst drinkin deyre magnums of Cristal!

[degrub]

i was taught that if it was something the reader should know. make a reference to the seminal paper or other reference and move on. Otherwise, it may sound like 1) the writer believes it ought to be this way, but cannot prove it (maybe you are proposing a theory - in which case perfect !) or 2) the writer is stating something that is or should be obvious to the audience. In that case, why mention it ?

just my 2 cents.

[KvHagedorn]

i was taught that if it was something the reader should know. make a reference to the seminal paper or other reference and move on. Otherwise, it may sound like 1) the writer believes it ought to be this way, but cannot prove it (maybe you are proposing a theory - in which case perfect !) or 2) the writer is stating something that is or should be obvious to the audience. In that case, why mention it ?

just my 2 cents.

Seminal paper? Is that what you call that pile of tissues overflowing your trash can in the bedroom?