A common writing mistake is to repeat a previous point,
sentence or phrase. This is called being redundant. Redundancy is using more words than are necessary. A redundant sentence
will still mean the same thing if the extra word or words are removed.
The definition from Merriam-Webster
is "an act or instance of needless repetition."
Redundant: On your
first day of school remember to pack the necessary essentials: pencils, paper,
books and a lunch.
Revised: On your first
day of school remember to pack the essentials: pencils, paper, books and a
lunch.
Redundant: Many
uneducated people who have never attended school achieve low scores on
standardized tests.
Revised: Many
uneducated people achieve low scores on standardized tests.
Often, redundancies occur in speech unintentionally,
but redundant phrases can also be deliberately constructed for emphasis, to
reduce the chance that a phrase will be misinterpreted. Redundancy
typically takes the form of tautology: phrases that repeat a
meaning with different though semantically similar words. Common examples are:
A variety of different items
An added bonus
To over-exaggerate
And etc
End result
Free gift
Future plans
Unconfirmed rumor
To kill or murder someone to death
Past history
Completely surrounded
False pretense
Adequate enough
Close proximity
Collaborate together
Final outcome
Final result
First and foremost
Merge together
Mix together
Plan ahead
Plan in advance
Proceed further
Redundancy makes writing unnecessarily long and ineffective.
Think of redundancies as word overflows.
Writing guides, especially for technical
writing, usually advise to avoid redundancy, "especially the use of two
expressions that mean the same thing. Such repetition works against readability
and conciseness." Others make a distinction between redundancy
and repetition: "Repetition, if used well, can be a good tool to use in
your writing. It can add emphasis to what you are trying to say and strengthen
a point. There are many types of useful repetition. Redundancy, on the other
hand, cannot be a good thing. Redundancy happens when the repetition of a word
or idea does not add anything to the previous usage; it just restates what has
already been said, takes up space, and gets in the way without adding meaning."
A benefit to
reducing redundancies in writing is that it helps make your writing more clear
and concise. Sentences that are wordy take longer to read. Looking for
redundant phrases in your paper or article is an important part of the editing
process. Don't slow down your reader. Help them quickly absorb the information
you are providing.
Below are some other examples:
1. If all of us cooperate together, we will
succeed.
If all of us cooperate, we will succeed.
If all of us work together, we will succeed.
If all of us work together, we will succeed.
2. The accused was guilty of false misstatement.
The accused was guilty of misstatement.
3. It was the general consensus of opinion that we must
go to the movie.
It was the general opinion that we must go to the
movie.
4. The three brothers had nothing in common with each
other.
The three brothers had nothing in common.
5. I am enclosing herewith my bio-data.
I am enclosing my bio-data.
6. In my opinion, I think it is going to rain.
I think it is going to rain.
7. Do not return back home without completing the
work.
Do not return without completing the work.
8.
The final conclusion was
to close the bakery.
The
conclusion was to close the bakery.
9. Have you read the latest biography of Indira
Gandhi’s life?
Have you read the latest biography of Indira
Gandhi?
10. Your dress is very unique.
Your dress is unique.
Sources:
informative assay
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