For any writer, being able to deliver their message to the reader as easy and clearly as possible is very important. However, in many instances, some make the mistakes of using the same words together right after each other. Using repetitious duplicative (just like these) words can distort the message. This article focuses on redundancies to avoid when writing to show how easy it is to fall into that trap. Whats more, part of the problem is that most writers – and even readers – are often unaware that is is happening or being done. This article contains a very useful list of the most common redundancies used by writers. Going through them can help you recognize them and avoid using them.

 

What Are Redundancies In Writing?

 

In the English language, redundancies refer to situations when two or more words which mean the same thing are used one after the other. What happens is that sometimes, these expressions are used by writers to modify the meaning of the other word behind it. Some examples are: unite together, added bonus and early beginnings. Although there are instances when you can use them, as a writer, you need to make sure it adds to your message. Great writers know how to take advantage of cohesion strategies pertaining to their work. The most important thing to keep in mind is sentence structure which can assist you in establishing clear content. If your use of redundant words does not enhance your writing, then eliminate them at all cost.  In addition, remember that there will be exceptions to some words such as final destination and some others. In the end, making your writing better should be your main goal as oppose to making it longer.

 

 

You should also read about Persuasive vs. Argumentative Writing Differences

 

 

Redundant Examples –

 

Here are a few sentences that contain redundant examples. While some may appear to fit in the storyline or sentence, they are still a repetition of the word that precedes it.

 

I was so happy to receive the added bonus yesterday. (by definition, added and bonus are the same)

 

This writing example is adequate enough for people to understand. (Although they fit fluidly in the sentence, adequate and enough are both the same and either one will work)

 

The statement she made was blatantly obvious to those who heard it. (In retrospect, things that are obvious are also blatant).

 

Can you please grab the hammer manually by hand? (In most cases, manually means by hand)

 

Redundancies List –

 

A –

 

added – bonus

absolutely – essential

absolutely – necessary

actual – fact

advance – forward

advance – planning

advance – preview

advance – reservations

advance – warning

add – an additional

add – up

added – bonus

affirmative – yes

aid and – abet

all-time – record

alternative -choice

A.M. – in the morning

and – etc.

anonymous – stranger

annual -anniversary

armed – gunman

artificial – prosthesis

ascend -up

ask – the question

assemble – together

attach – together

ATM -machine

adequate – enough

arm’s – reach

 

B –

 

bald -headed

balsa – wood

basic – fundamentals

blatantly -obvious

basic – necessities

best – ever

blend – together

boat – marina

bouquet – of flowers

brief – in duration

brief – moment

brief – summary

burning – embers

browse -through

but -yet

 

C –

 

chase – after

cacophony – of sound

cameo – appearance

cancel – out

careful – scrutiny

cash – money

close – proximity

cease – and desist

circle – around

circulate – around

classify – into groups

close – proximity

closed –  fist

collaborate – together

combine – together

commute – back and forth

completely – annihilate

completely – destroyed

completely – eliminate

completely – engulfed

completely – filled

completely – surround

component – parts

confer – together

connect – together

connect – up

critically – important

confused – state

consensus -of opinion

constantly – maintained

cooperate  – together

could – possibly

crisis – situation

curative -process

current – incumbent

current – trend

current – status quo

 

D –

 

depreciate – in value

descend – down

desirable – benefits

different – kinds

disappear -from sight

drop -down

during – the course of

dwindle – down

 

E –

 

each – and every

early – beginnings

end – result

enter – into

equally – as

earlier – in time

eliminate – altogether

emergency – situation

empty – hole

empty – out

empty – space

enclosed – herein

end – result

enter in

entirely – eliminate

equal – to one another

eradicate – completely

estimated – at about

evolve – over time

exact – same

exposed – opening

extradite – back

 

F –  

 

Far – distance

favorably – disposed

face – mask

fall – down

favorable – approval

fellow – classmates

fellow – colleague

few – in number

filled – to capacity

final – conclusion

final – end

final – result

final – outcome

final – ultimatum

first and – foremost

first – conceived

first – dibs

first – of all

fly – through the air

follow – after

foreign – imports

former – graduate

former – veteran

free – gift

from – whence

frozen – ice

frozen – tundra

full – to capacity

full – satisfaction

fuse – together

future – plans

future – recurrence

 

G –

 

gather – together

general – public

general – consensus (of opinion)

general – vicinity

generally – always

GOP – party

GRE – exam

grow – in size

 

H –

 

Historic – milestone

had done – previously

harmful – injuries

head – honcho

heat – up

HIV – virus

hoist – up

hollow – tube

hurry – up

 

I –

 

Interact – with each other

intermarriage – intermarry

illustrated – drawing

incredible – to believe

indicted – on a charge

input – into

integrate – with each other

introduced – a new

introduced – for the first time

ISBN – number

 

J –

 

Join – together

joint – collaboration

just – exactly

 

K –

 

kneel – down

knowledgeable – experts

 

L –

 

lag – behind

later – time

LCD – display

little – baby

live – studio audience

local – residents

look back – in retrospect

 

M –

 

made – out of

major – breakthrough

major – feat

manually – by hand

may – possibly

meet – together

meet – with each other

mental – telepathy

meld – together

mental – attitude

mix – together

moment – in time

most – unique

merge – together

might – possibly

minestrone – soup

mix – together

mutual – cooperation

number one – leader in

 

N –

 

nape – of her neck

native – habitat

natural – instinct

never – before

new – beginning

new – innovation

new – invention

new – recruit

none – at all

none – whatsoever

nostalgia – for the past

now – pending

 

O –

 

off – of

old – adage

old – cliche

old – custom

open – trench

open – up

oral – conversation

originally – created

output – out of

 

P –

 

pair of – twins

palm – of the hand

passing – fad

past – experience

past – history

past – memories

past – records

penetrate – into

PIN – number

pick – and choose

pizza – pie

plan – ahead

plan – in advance

plunge – down

positive – identification

prior – experience

proceed – forward

proof – positive

present – incumbent

present – time

proposed – plan

pursue – after

 

R –

 

RAM – memory

raise – up

reason is – because

reason – why

recur – again

re-lect – another term

refer – back

reflect – back

regular – routine

round – in shape

revert – back

return – back

repay – back

 

S –

 

safe – haven

safe – sanctuary

same – exact

sand – dune

separated – apart from each other

sharp – point

sequential – order

shared – commonalities

share – together

slight – edge

slight – hint

sum – total

shut – down

sole – of the foot

spell out  – in detail

spliced – together

sworn – affidavit

 

T –

 

temper – tantrum

three-way – love triangle

tiny – bit

total – destruction

true – facts

tuna – fish

truly – sincere

two – halves

 

U –

 

ultimate – goal

undergraduate – student

unexpected – surprise

unintentional – mistake

uphill – climb

UPC – code

usual – custom

usually – always

 

V –

 

various – different

vitally – important

vacillate – back and forth

visible – to the eye

 

 

You may also want to read How To Choose Between Formal Or Informal Writing Styles

 

 

W –

 

wall – mural

warn – in advance

whether – or not

white – snow

whole – entire