tautology

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tautology" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a statement that is true by necessity or by virtue of its logical form, often involving redundancy in expression. Example: "Saying 'free gift' is an example of tautology, as a gift is inherently free."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If one is dealing with first-order logic with equality, one has to replace "tautology" by "tautological consequence of substitution instances of the equality axioms"; following Shoenfield we will use the term "quasi-tautology" to describe such a formula. is a quasi-tautology.

SEP

Built on motherhood statements, the withholding of information and tautology, journalists and the public have been infuriated by the lack of information on the fate of asylum seekers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only the legislature is the "legislature".This tautology formed the spine of Paul Clement's argument on behalf of Arizona's legislature in yesterday's hearing.

The Economist

The tautology and ontology aside, the project failed, and while in recovery, he nursed his wounds and listened to other old soldiers explain their wins and losses.

The Economist

Floundering for a formula to resolve these contradictions, General Musharraf talks of offering the people of Kashmir a tautology: "something between autonomy and independence, like self-governance".

The Economist

Within that system, self-exclusion from that loving God is self-evidently a "hellish" choice; that is almost a tautology, a statement of the obvious.

The Economist

As a result, Mr Kavalsky notes, the Bank's prescriptions in this field often come "very close to a tautology".

The Economist

In Vatican-speak, this was more than a tautology; it referred to Turkey, due to start talking entry terms in October.

The Economist

(T) is, however, just an uninformative tautology.

SEP

is a tautology.

SEP

The trivial partial answer in \(D B \), corresponding to 'I don't know', is represented by a tautology, i.e., the disjunction of all complete answers.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tautology", ensure it accurately describes a statement that is necessarily true or redundantly expresses the same idea. Avoid using it loosely to describe any general statement of fact.

Common error

A common mistake is assuming all true statements are tautologies. A "tautology" is true by its logical form or definition, not necessarily by reflecting reality. Be sure your statement actually repeats itself semantically or logically before labeling it a tautology.

Linguistic Context

The term "tautology" primarily functions as a noun. Ludwig's examples reveal its usage in describing redundant expressions, logical statements that are always true, or arguments that are circular. It's a term often used to critique statements lacking informative value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tautology" is a grammatically correct noun frequently employed to describe statements characterized by redundancy or self-evident truth. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, primarily within formal contexts like science, news, and business. Its purpose is to critique or analyze statements for a lack of meaningful content. Related phrases include "redundant statement" and "circular argument". To avoid misuse, ensure that "tautology" is applied accurately to statements that are necessarily true or redundantly express the same idea, rather than merely true statements. Overall, understanding "tautology" enhances critical analysis and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redundant statement

Focuses on the characteristic of being unnecessarily repetitive.

circular argument

Highlights the logical fallacy of using the conclusion as a premise.

pleonasm

Refers specifically to the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea.

truism

Emphasizes the self-evident and often uninteresting nature of the statement.

self-evident truth

Highlights the quality of being obvious and requiring no proof.

platitude

Highlights that the statement is commonplace and unoriginal.

bromide

Similar to platitude, but often suggests a comforting but ultimately unhelpful statement.

cliché

Indicates that the phrase is overused and has lost its impact.

banality

Emphasizes the lack of originality or depth in the statement.

empty rhetoric

Suggests the statement is devoid of substance and used for persuasive effect only.

FAQs

How is "tautology" used in propositional logic?

In propositional logic, a "tautology" is a statement that is always true, regardless of the truth values of its components. For example, "A or not A" is a tautology.

What's the difference between a "tautology" and a contradiction?

A "tautology" is a statement that is always true, while a contradiction is a statement that is always false. They are opposite in truth value.

Is it always bad to use a "tautology" in writing?

Not necessarily. While tautologies can be redundant, they can also be used for emphasis or to clarify a point. However, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or dull. Consider using "redundant statement" instead.

What are some examples of tautological phrases in everyday language?

Common examples include "free gift", "necessary requirement", and "visible to the eye". These phrases include words whose meanings are already implied by other words in the phrase.