Redundancy in English: Concise Writing Tips PDF

What Is Redundancy in English? [Redundancy](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redundancy) in the needless repetition of words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs or ideas. Redundancy is when we use two or more words together that mean the same thing, for example, 'adequate enough'. We also sa...

What Is Redundancy in English? [Redundancy](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redundancy) in the needless repetition of words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs or ideas. Redundancy is when we use two or more words together that mean the same thing, for example, 'adequate enough'. We also say something is redundant when a modifier's meaning is contained in the word it modifies, for example, 'merge together'. When we write, we should try to be as clear and concise as we can be. If we learn how to get a [message across](https://writerswrite.co.za/7-essential-characteristics-of-effective-business-writing/) without adding unnecessary words, readers are more likely to read what we write. Why You Should Not Use Redundant Phrases Every word you use should add something new to your piece of writing. When you use a redundant phrase you are using two or more words that mean the same thing. They add nothing new. Redundancies [**pad**](https://writerswrite.co.za/four-ways-to-remove-words-that-add-nothing-to-your-writing/) your writing and bore you readers. The longer sentences are liable to make people stop reading altogether. Common redundancies to avoid in business writing: 1. In my opinion, I... (Use: I...) 2. Collaborated together (Use: collaborated) 3. Past experience (Use: experience) 4. The reason why (Use: reason) 5. Plus in addition (Use: in addition) 19 Examples Of Redundancy **Common Examples of Redundancy** The example showed before is just one example, but there are dozens of redundant phrases that people use constantly without realizing. Below you will see some redundant phrases and why they are repetitive. Advance warning or notice -- To notify someone or warn them is already telling them something before the event occurs. It is redundant to attach the word advance. - Actual fact -- A fact is by definition someth at a person "checked your - ing that has already been confirmed to have happened. - Forever and ever -- Ever is completely unnecessary as it just serves as a duplicate of the forever. - Major breakthrough -- A breakthrough is already major and significant. There is no reason to say that it is major.9:00 a.m. in the morning or 9:00 p.m. in the evening -- People commonly say the - time, then add a.m. or p.m. and then add in the morning or evening to the phrase. Again this is redundant due to fact that a.m. and p.m. already informs the reader.Past history -- By definition, history is someone's past. Saying th past history" or "Look into his past record" is redundant since these things have already happened and are by definition an occurrence in the past. - Plan ahead -- When a person makes a plan, they are already preparing for the future. There is no reason to add ahead after you tell someone to plan. - Postpone until later -- To postpone something already means to reschedule it at a later time. The "until later" part of the phrase is unneeded. A good remedy for this phrase would be "Postpone until tomorrow morning" or something else that is more specific than later. - Unexpected surprise -- By definition a surprise is going to be unexpected. No one expects a surprise. - Unintentional mistake -- When someone makes a mistake it is already unintentional. Unintentional is unnecessary. Another common way people use this form of redundancy is with the phrase accidental mistake. - Written down -- You may have heard the phrase "Write this down" or "It's written down", but when something is written it has been taken down. There is no need for you to add the word down to it. - Still remains -- "Yet she still remains" this phrase is redundant because remains means that something is still there. Still doesn't add anything to the sentence.