student asking question

Can I replace "optimal" with "proper" here?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Yes, you can replace "optimal" with "proper" here to have the same general meaning, although you should be aware of the slight difference in nuance between these two words. "Optimal" means the most favorable or the best, so in this case it refers to the best hydration possible. "Proper" in this case just refers to good or standard hydration. This implies that it is anything above the minimum amount of hydration that is good. So "proper" in this case is slightly below "optimal". However, both of these words mean "good", and so you can replace one for the other to have the same general meaning.

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