Clarity & Style

Redundancy (Pleonasm)

Remove needless repetition that adds no meaning.

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What & why

What it is
Pleonasm is the use of more words than the meaning requires, where one part already contains another: 'end result,' 'new innovation,' 'completely finish,' 'past history,' '10 AM in the morning.' The extra word adds no information and only dilutes the phrase. This differs from deliberate repetition for emphasis or clarity, which is purposeful. Redundancy is accidental padding. Removing it tightens the sentence and signals that you choose words with care.
Why it works

Listeners process speech in real time with limited working memory, so every extra word is a small tax on attention. Redundant phrasing forces them to handle the same idea twice and confirm it carries nothing new, which slows comprehension and dulls emphasis. Tight phrasing also reads as a competence cue: word choice that looks deliberate tends to raise perceived credibility. When you cut the padding, the remaining words feel more decisive and the point lands harder.

Before & after

Before

“We need to completely finish the final end result of the project by the deadline date.”

After

“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.

Learn more

Silva Rhetoricae (BYU) - Pleonasm
Purdue OWL - Conciseness
Wikipedia - Pleonasm

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