Redundancy

Sometimes people tend to clutter up their writing with unnecessary words of

phrases. Good writing is concise and informative. When something is redundant
it means that it is excessive, unnecessary, or superfluous. Redundancy usually
involves repeating something or adding in information that is completely
unnecessary.

Not all usages of redundancy are bad. In fact, there are many instances where
redundancy is considered to be okay, such as when a person is using it for
emphasis. In most occasions though, especially when a person is being
redundant without realizing it, it’s bad.

Common Examples of Redundancy

There are dozens of redundant phrases that people use constantly without
realizing. Below you will see some redundant phrases and why they are
repetitive.

 Actual fact – A fact is by definition something that has already been

confirmed to have happened.
 Forever and ever – Ever is completely unnecessary as it just serves as a
duplicate of 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 the fact that a.m.
and p.m. already informs the reader.
 Past history – By definition, history is someone’s past. Saying that a
person “checked your 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.

How to Identify Redundancy in Your Own Writing

Even though you understand redundancy, you may still have some problems
identifying it in your own writing. Spotting redundancy is a big part of editing
and it can help you turn your writing into something that is much more concise
and easy to read.

One of the first things you want to do is read through your entire paper. If
something doesn’t sound or look right, then read over it again and see if you can
spot any problems. Don’t fixate on it too long, but ask yourself if every word in
the paragraph, sentence, or phrase is necessary. If you feel that you can take
something out and the paper will retain its meaning then do so. Even if you
aren’t sure, take the word or phrase out anyway and see how it works. If it
doesn’t fix the problem, just add it back.

You may not be able to spot every problem in your writing though, especially
immediately after you’ve written it. A good thing to practice is take a few hours
after you’ve completed the paper and do something else. Some people will wait
until the following day to look at their writing and see if they can identify any
problems then. It can be really beneficial to take a good hard look at your work
with a fresh set of eyes.
Fixing Redundancy in Your Writing

Now that you know how to identify redundancy, you can explore the ways that
you can fix it. Remember that redundancy involves superfluous words, which
means that you will more than likely be cutting the phrase short. Below are
some redundant sentences and examples of ways that you can fix them.

 Redundant: There were three teachers that taught each and every hour at
school today.
 Fixed: There were three teachers that taught every hour at school today.

Notice that the phrase “each and every” was redundant in the first sentence?
Each and every essentially mean the same thing in this instance, so you don’t
have to use it.

 Redundant: Everything being equal, the members of the Student Council

will think about the argument, and come up with a final decision through
a vote next week at an open meeting.
 Fixed: The members of the Student Council will have a final decision next
week at an open meeting after a vote.

Although the above sentence didn’t have a particular phrase that needed to be
fixed, the wording was still superfluous and unnecessary. As stated before,
redundancy doesn’t just mean that the words repeat, but that they add
unnecessary length to the sentence or phrase.

Not All Redundancy is Bad

Sometimes redundancy can be a good thing. As mentioned before, redundancy
can be used for emphasis. You’ve probably seen a lot of redundant phrases in
advertisements. People will write words such as “Free gift” and “Added
Bonuses” to emphasize how good something may be.

This is only in specific situations though. In other situations writing concisely is

incredibly important. One form of writing that requires you to write concisely is
technical writing.
Redundancy
Redundancy means superfluity or using words unnecessarily or using words for a
second time.

Example-1:
• If all of us cooperate together, we will succeed.
In this sentence, the words cooperate and together have been used. But both
these words convey the same meaning.
One of the two words should be dropped in order to make the sentence a correct
one.

• If all of us cooperate, we will succeed.

• If all of us work together, we will succeed.
Both these sentences are correct ones.
Example-2:

• The accused was guilty of false misstatement.

This sentence uses false and misstatement whereas both these words convey the
same meaning.

The correct sentence is:

• The accused was guilty of misstatement.

Example-3:

• It was the general consensus of opinion that we must go to the movie.

The two words which convey the same meaning are consensus and opinion.

One word should be removed to make this sentence correct one.

The correct sentence is:

• It was the general opinion that we must go to the movie.

Example-4:

• The three brothers had nothing in common with each other.

Here also two phrases in common and with each other have been used to convey
the same meaning.

The correct sentence is:

• The three brothers had nothing in common.

These examples might have made it clear for you how to avoid Redundancy in
your sentences.

Example-5:

• I am enclosing herewith my bio-data.

Enclosing and herewith are the two words which convey the same meaning.

The correct sentence is:

• I am enclosing my bio-data.

Example-6:

• There was an ovation when the minister rose up to speak.

The two words (rose and up) convey the same meaning.

The correct sentence is:

• There was an ovation when the minister rose to speak.

Example-7:

• Do not return back home without completing the work.

In this sentence also, two words, conveying the same meaning have been used.

The correct sentence is:

• Do not return without completing the work.

These examples might have made it clear for you how to avoid Redundancy in
your sentences.

Examples: • You must first do this before you go. (Incorrect)

• You must do this before you go. (Correct)

• The flight will arrive at 7 p.m. in the evening. (Incorrect)

• The flight will arrive at 7 p.m. (Correct)

• He carefully examined each and every letter. (Incorrect)

• He carefully examined each letter. (Correct)

• In my opinion, I think it is going to rain. (Incorrect)

• I think it is going to rain. (Correct)

• Frank was elected as Chairman unanimously by all members. (Incorrect)

• Frank was elected as Chairman unanimously. (Correct)

• I have a client of mine who insists on paying his fee in advance. (Incorrect)
• I have a client who insists on paying his fee in advance. (Correct)
• Have you read the latest biography of Indira Gandhi’s life? (Incorrect)
• Have you read the latest biography of Indira Gandhi? (Correct)

• The police restored the stolen purse back to the rightful owner. (Incorrect)
• The police restored the stolen purse to the rightful owner. (Correct)

• All other boys except Peter came for picnic. (Incorrect)

• All boys except Peter came for picnic. (Correct)

• I am looking for a job with a salary of at least US $2000 or more. (Incorrect)

• I am looking for a job with a salary of at least US $2000. (Correct)

• You must come promptly at 10 a.m. or else we will leave without you.
(Incorrect)
• You must come promptly at 10 a.m. or we will leave without you. (Correct)

• The prices of Car companies have fallen down by 30% in the last one week.
(Incorrect)
• The prices of Car companies have fallen by 30% in the last one week. (Correct)