Hey there! Marvin here, and today we’re diving into something that might be making your writing way more wordy than it needs to be — Pleonasm.
Ever caught yourself saying “please RSVP” or “ATM machine”? Congratulations, you’ve just used a pleonasm! 😄
But what exactly is pleonasm? Let me break it down for you in the simplest way possible.
Think of pleonasm as using extra words that repeat the same meaning. It’s like wearing both a belt AND suspenders — sure, they both hold up your pants, but you really only need one, right?
Before we dive deeper, here’s a quick question I get ALL the time:
Marvin, what’s the etymology of pleonasm? Where did this weird word come from?
It comes from the Greek word ‘pleonasmos’, meaning “excess” or “superfluity”. Pretty fitting, right? The Greeks knew what they were talking about!
I’ve spent YEARS helping writers tighten their prose, and let me tell you — understanding pleonasm can TRANSFORM your writing from bloated to beautiful.
Ready to discover how? Let’s jump right in!
Types of Pleonasm: Let’s Break It Down!
Let’s talk about the two MAIN types of pleonasm that you’ll encounter in writing. Trust me, knowing these will help you spot and fix redundancies like a pro!
Syntactic Pleonasm: The Grammar Game
Syntactic pleonasm happens when we use extra grammatical elements that aren’t really needed.
Let me show you what I mean:
What’s a common example of syntactic pleonasm?
The classic “I know that that is true.” See that extra ‘that’? The sentence works perfectly fine as “I know that is true.”
Here are some more examples that drive me CRAZY:
- “Did you go to the store?” vs. “Did you go to the store at?”
- “The reason is because…” (Just say “The reason is” or “because”)
- “Return back” (Just say “return”)
Semantic Pleonasm: The Meaning Multiplier
This one’s my personal favorite to explain! Semantic pleonasm happens when we use words that mean the same thing.
It’s like ordering a “tuna fish” — um, aren’t all tunas fish? 😄
Common semantic pleonasms that make me chuckle:
- “Free gift” (aren’t all gifts free?)
- “Past history” (as opposed to future history?)
- “New innovation” (innovation is already new by definition!)
Marvin, how can I spot semantic pleonasm in my writing?
Look for pairs of words where one word already includes the meaning of the other. If you find yourself describing something twice, you’ve probably got a semantic pleonasm on your hands!
Tip: Not all pleonasms are bad! Sometimes we use them for emphasis or style. But in professional writing? Keep it clean and lean!
Remember: Your goal isn’t to use fancy words — it’s to COMMUNICATE clearly. Every word should earn its place in your sentence!
How to AVOID PLEONASMS in your writing
Here’re some POWERFUL tips to help you eliminate unnecessary wordiness from your writing.
Let’s make your sentences lean and mean!
- The “Delete Test”
Here’s what I always do: Read my sentences, then remove words one by one. If the meaning stays the same, you’ve found a pleonasm!
For example:
“She nodded her head in agreement” → “She nodded”
(Because really, what else would you nod?)
- Watch Those Prepositions!
Marvin, which prepositions often create pleonasms?
Look out for unnecessary ‘up’, ‘down’, ‘in’, and ‘out’. You don’t need to “rise up” when you can just “rise”!
- Use Strong Verbs
Instead of writing:
- “She whispered in a quiet voice” → “She whispered”
- “He shouted in a loud voice” → “He shouted”
- Kill Those Doubles!
Spot these common offenders:
- “Absolutely essential” → “Essential”
- “Basic fundamentals” → “Fundamentals”
- “Close proximity” → “Proximity”
- My SECRET Weapon: The One-Word Rule
If one word does the job, use it!
Examples:
- “At this point in time” → “Now”
- “Due to the fact that” → “Because”
- “In spite of the fact that” → “Although”
Quick Challenge for You!
Look at your latest piece of writing. Can you find any pleonasms? Try removing words that repeat meaning. I bet your writing will feel STRONGER instantly!
Remember: Every word should WORK for its place in your sentence. If it’s not adding value, it’s just taking up space!
Tip: Keep a “pleonasm hit list” nearby when you write. It’ll help you catch these sneaky redundancies before they creep into your work!
Pleonasm vs. Tautology vs. Metonymy
Let’s Clear Up the Confusion!
Let’s break down these often-mixed-up terms. Trust me, once you understand the differences, you’ll never confuse them again!
Pleonasm: The Extra Word Club
“What makes pleonasm unique?”
Think of pleonasm as using MORE words than needed to express meaning. It’s like saying “small tiny puppy” — we get it, it’s small!
Examples I see all the time:
- “PIN number” (PIN already means “number”)
- “Advance planning” (can you plan backward?)
- “Repeat again” (just say “repeat”)
Tautology: The Say-The-Same-Thing-Twice Club
Here’s the deal with tautology — it’s saying the same thing using DIFFERENT words. It’s like:
- “It is what it is”
- “Boys will be boys”
- “Either you like it or you don’t”
“Marvin, what’s the main difference between pleonasm and tautology?”
Pleonasm uses extra words that mean the same thing, while tautology repeats the same idea in different words.
Think of pleonasm as redundant WORDS and tautology as redundant IDEAS.
Metonymy: The Substitute Word Club
This one’s totally different! Metonymy is using one word to represent something related.
Like:
- “The White House announced…” (meaning the President or administration)
- “Hollywood loves drama” (meaning the film industry)
- “The pen is mightier than the sword” (writing vs. fighting)
Quick Reference Guide:
- Pleonasm = Unnecessary extra words
- Tautology = Same idea repeated differently
- Metonymy = Using a related word as substitute
While pleonasm and tautology are usually writing mistakes, metonymy is actually a useful literary device!
POWER-PACKED Pleonasm Examples Coming Your Way!
Here’re some eye-opening examples that’ll help you spot pleonasms in the wild.
Let’s dive into the most common ones I see EVERYWHERE!
Everyday Pleonasms That Make Me Cringe
- Time-Related Pleonasms:
- “8:00 AM in the morning” (AM already means morning!)
- “Plan ahead” (can you plan backward?)
- “Past experience” (all experience is past)
Marvin, which time-related pleonasms should I watch out for the most?
The biggest offender is adding “time” unnecessarily — like “at this point in time” when “now” works perfectly!
Business Speak Pleonasms
These drive me CRAZY in office emails:
- “Please RSVP” (RSVP means ‘please respond’)
- “New innovation” (all innovations are new!)
- “End result” (just say “result”)
Tech Talk Pleonasms
Watch out for these:
- “LCD display” (Display is the ‘D’ in LCD!)
- “RAM memory” (Memory is the ‘M’!)
- “PDF format” (Format is the ‘F’!)
Everyday Speech Pleonasms
You probably use these without realizing:
- “Actual fact” (facts are always actual)
- “Close proximity” (proximity means closeness)
- “Unexpected surprise” (surprises are always unexpected)
My Personal Favorites
These make me laugh every time:
- “Free gift” (aren’t all gifts free?)
- “Frozen ice” (ever seen unfrozen ice?)
- “Round circle” (show me a square circle!)
FAQs
What is pleonasm and examples?
Pleonasm is using more words than necessary to express meaning. Common examples include “free gift” (all gifts are free), “past history” (all history is past), and “PIN number” (where PIN already means number). In everyday writing, you’ll often spot pleonasms in phrases like “advance planning” or “basic fundamentals.”
What is pleonasm vs tautology?
Pleonasm uses extra words that repeat meaning, like “whisper quietly.” Tautology repeats the same idea using different words, like “it is what it is.” The main difference is that pleonasm involves redundant words, while tautology involves redundant ideas. For example, “small tiny house” is a pleonasm, while “either you win or you lose” is a tautology.
What is the difference between pleonasm and oxymoron?
Pleonasm and oxymoron are opposite concepts. Pleonasm uses extra words that mean the same thing (like “repeat again”), while oxymoron combines contradictory words (like “deafening silence” or “living dead”). Pleonasms are usually writing mistakes, but oxymorons are intentional literary devices used for effect.
What is pleonasm in grammar?
In grammar, pleonasm refers to using more grammatical elements than needed for clear expression. Common grammatical pleonasms include phrases like “return back,” “where are you at?” and “the reason why is because.” These expressions use unnecessary words that don’t add meaning to the sentence.
How can you avoid pleonasm in writing?
To avoid pleonasm, read your sentences aloud and remove words that don’t add new meaning. For example, change “absolutely essential” to just “essential,” or “collaborate together” to “collaborate.” Use the deletion test: if removing a word doesn’t change the meaning, it’s likely a pleonasm.
Is pleonasm always wrong?
No, pleonasm isn’t always incorrect. Sometimes it’s used deliberately for emphasis (“I saw it with my own eyes”), clarity (“tuna fish”), or stylistic effect (“sing out loud”). However, in formal or professional writing, it’s best to avoid unnecessary pleonasms to keep your writing clear and concise.
