Last week, I provided a list of 10 redundant phrases that I hope you’ll ban from your blog (and your writing in general). But when it comes to common errors of redundancy, there’s practically no end to the possibilities.
So this week, I have an additional 10 word pairings that are unnecessarily repetitive.
Some of these may seem more obvious than others, yet we see the mistakes repeated all the time, so even the “obvious” ones aren’t obvious to everyone. So check out this additional list and let me know in the comments which ones set you off: I’m already working on a sequel that’ll post in a couple of weeks!
1. Absolutely Essential
Something that is essential is necessary or required. There are no degrees of “essential.” If it isn’t required, then it isn’t essential.
2. Anonymous Stranger
A stranger is someone you don’t know. Someone who is anonymous to you is, therefore, a stranger.
3. Brutal Beating
While some might argue that certain cases of homicide that involve euthanasia may not necessarily be “brutal,” a beating can’t be anything but brutal.
4. New Beginning
If you’re beginning something, it’s a new turn at it, even if you’ve taken similar action in the past.
5. Polar Opposites
Opposites are contrary or radically different to each other on their own.
6. Positive Identification
What is “negative identification?” And if there’s doubt about one’s identity, then one hasn’t truly been identified.
7. Reason Why
The reason is why, and vice versa. Choose one or the other, but not both.
8. Unconfirmed Rumor
Once a rumor is confirmed, it’s a fact.
9. Unexpected Surprise
If it is expected, it can’t be a surprise.
10. Unintended Mistake
A mistake is an error, whether it’s caused by misunderstanding or ignorance. If it were intentional, it might be called sabotage.
So now that we’ve had 20 of these, are there any you can think of that I missed? (I had a few great suggestions on last week’s post, so I’ll incorporate them into a follow-up post!)
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Patrick is a television producer, writer, Mac lover, and Christian, though not necessarily in that order. He has a natural dislike of double standards and poor grammar.
