Clarity & Style
Redundancy (Pleonasm)
Remove needless repetition that adds no meaning.
In Clarity & StyleLast updated
What it is
The unnecessary repetition of meaning through multiple words or phrases that say the same thing. While some repetition aids comprehension, redundancy wastes time and weakens impact. Eliminating pleonasm makes communication more concise and professional.
Before & after
Before
“Redundant: "We need to completely finish the final end result of the project by the deadline date."”
After
“Concise: "We need to complete the project by the deadline."”
When you’ll use it
Time references: "10 AM in the morning" → "10 AM" (morning is implied)
Meeting language: "End result" → "result" (results are inherently final)
Project descriptions: "New innovation" → "innovation" (innovations are inherently new)
Status updates: "Past history" → "history" (history is always past)
Pro tip
Say it once, with the word that carries the meaning.
Questions & answers
What is redundancy or pleonasm in communication?
Redundancy (pleonasm) uses unnecessarily repetitive words or phrases that express the same idea twice, like 'advance planning,' 'unexpected surprise,' or 'end result.' It adds wordiness without adding meaning or value to communication.
How do I identify and eliminate redundancy in my presentations?
Look for phrases where words mean the same thing, unnecessary qualifiers, or repeated concepts. Edit ruthlessly: 'future plans' becomes 'plans,' 'completely finished' becomes 'finished,' 'past history' becomes 'history.' Every word should add value.
What's the difference between helpful repetition and redundancy?
Helpful repetition reinforces key messages for emphasis or clarity across different contexts. Redundancy repeats meaning within the same phrase or sentence without adding value. 'Emphasis for impact' is helpful; 'end result' is redundant.
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