pleonasm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pleonasm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing language, particularly in the context of redundancy in expression where more words are used than necessary to convey meaning. Example: "Saying 'free gift' is an example of pleonasm, as a gift is inherently free."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

My work as writer is mere pleonasm.

The Guardian - Books

Pleonasm is the rhetorical term for the use of more than one word where one word would be more than enough.

The New Yorker

It's a pleonasm to say that these performances, which took place in public, were never intended for domestic listening; they have the sort of intensity that's incongruous with the quiet enjoyment of home.

The New Yorker

("Peculiar alone" is a tautology, or maybe a pleonasm).

The Guardian - Books

The impulse to beef up a word by sticking on a prefix and interpreting it as an intensifier ("morphemic pleonasm") is one that inspires considerable hostility among those who care about such things.

The Guardian - Books

What needs to be kept in mind, in reflecting on this issue, is whether a "contingent thing" is a pleonasm and "infinite reality" is without sense and whether, when people go beyond anthropomorphism (or try to go beyond it), it is possible to have a sufficient understanding of what is referred to by "God" to make faith a coherent possibility.

Britannica

(Every time one legitimately asserts that a proposition is false one need not be certain that it is false. "Knowing with certainty" is not a pleonasm). The claim is that this tentative posture is the reasonable position for the atheist to take.

Britannica

But, in turn, when one considers what kind of transcendent reality God is said to be, there seems to be an implicit logical ban on there being empirical evidence (a pleonasm) for his existence.

Britannica

But if one means by "intellectual" someone who plays the role just described, then "public intellectual" is a pleonasm while "private intellectual" is an oxymoron.

The Guardian - Opinion

The word 'interpretation' is often used in such a way that 'admissible interpretation' is a pleonasm.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pleonasm" judiciously to describe instances of linguistic redundancy, especially when analyzing writing or speech for clarity and conciseness. Recognizing and avoiding pleonasms can improve the effectiveness of your communication.

Common error

Avoid misinterpreting "pleonasm" as simply using long words or complex sentence structures. "Pleonasm" specifically refers to using words that are unnecessary because they duplicate the meaning of other words in the same phrase.

Linguistic Context

The term "pleonasm" functions as a noun, referring to the rhetorical device of using more words than are necessary to convey an idea. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pleonasm" refers to the use of redundant words in a phrase, where one or more words are unnecessary because their meaning is already implied. Ludwig AI indicates that the term is grammatically correct and usable. While sometimes used intentionally for emphasis, pleonasms are generally discouraged in formal writing for the sake of clarity and conciseness. Related terms include "redundancy" and "tautology", although each has slightly different nuances. Spotting and avoiding "pleonasm" can significantly improve writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redundancy

Refers to the general state of being superfluous or unnecessary, similar to pleonasm, but applicable beyond just language.

tautology

Implies a statement that is necessarily true, often due to circular reasoning or repetition of the same idea in different words.

verbosity

Indicates the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.

wordiness

Highlights the excessive use of words, often making writing unclear or cumbersome.

circumlocution

Describes speaking in a roundabout way, often to avoid a direct or simple statement.

periphrasis

The use of indirect and circumlocutory speech or writing.

repetition

The act of repeating something that has already been said or written.

excess verbiage

Denotes an overabundance of words, often unnecessary or detracting from clarity.

superfluity of words

Emphasizes that there are more words than required.

rhetorical redundancy

Specifies that the redundancy is used intentionally for rhetorical effect.

FAQs

How can I identify a "pleonasm" in writing?

Look for phrases where removing one or more words does not change the meaning. For example, in the phrase "burning fire", the word "burning" is redundant because fire is inherently burning, making it a "pleonasm".

What's the difference between "pleonasm" and tautology?

"Pleonasm" involves using more words than necessary to convey an idea (e.g., "free gift"), while tautology involves repeating the same idea using different words (e.g., "it is what it is"). Both involve redundancy, but they manifest differently in language.

Is using a "pleonasm" always incorrect?

Not necessarily. While often considered a stylistic flaw, a "pleonasm" can sometimes be used intentionally for emphasis or rhetorical effect. However, it's generally best to avoid them in formal writing.

What are some common examples of "pleonasm"?

Common examples of "pleonasm" include "added bonus", "advance planning", "basic fundamentals", and "close proximity". In each case, one of the words is unnecessary because its meaning is already implied by the other.