Redundant Words in English Grammar
Redundant words are unnecessary or repetitive words in a sentence that add no new meaning. Eliminating them makes your writing clearer and more professional.
Why Should We Avoid Redundant Words?
- Makes sentences longer and harder to read.
- Can confuse or bore the reader.
- Reduces the impact and effectiveness of your message.
- Sounds unprofessional or careless.
Common Examples of Redundant Phrases
Here are some commonly used redundant phrases and their better alternatives.
| Redundant Phrase | Better Alternative |
|---|---|
| Free gift | Gift |
| Basic fundamentals | Fundamentals |
| Repeat again | Repeat |
| End result | Result |
| Return back | Return |
| True fact | Fact |
| Close proximity | Proximity |
| ATM machine | ATM |
| Past history | History |
| Final conclusion | Conclusion |
How to Identify and Correct Redundancy
- Read your sentence aloud to spot awkward repetition.
- Remove any word that does not add new meaning or value.
- Ask yourself: "Does this word say something new?" If not, cut it.
- Replace redundant phrases with simpler, clearer terms.
Example: "He made a brief summary of the report."
Correction: "He summarized the report."
Conclusion
Redundant words clutter your speech and writing. Learning to spot and remove them improves your English fluency and clarity, making your language more professional and impactful.