Did you know that redundant comes from the Latin verb “redundare,” to overflow? Sometimes we use superfluous words without realizing it. Some writers do it on purpose, mistakenly thinking that more words will make a good impression. Instead, wordiness can be a boring turn off.
Words beginning with the prefix “re,” which means “again,” or “back,” can be particularly troublesome. If you see the prefix, “re,” in a word, chances are that it means to do something again.
Restart – start again
Remake – make again
Redo – do again
Revert – go back
(You get the picture.)
When “re” does the job of “again,” it is redundant (superfluous) to repeat “again.”
Be careful not to use this needless repetition.
“He restarted the car again.”
“Let’s return back home again.”
“She reverted back to her childhood.”
“The teacher insisted I redo the homework again.”
“Again” and “back” are redundant.
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Here are some more cases of redundant word usage. You can remove the words marked in red and not lose the meaning.
He is a man who says what he believes.
There is no doubt but that he will be late.
She spoke in a rough manner (roughly).
As to whether he will be there, I don’t know.
The fact that … (Completely unnecessary)
Owing to the fact that … (Replace with “since”)
In spite of the fact that … (Replace with “although”)
Politicians like to use repeated (redundant) words for emphasis.
Here is a man who is honourable.
Here is a man who is hard working.
Here is a man who is reliable.
And here is a man who is trustworthy.
This could all be said in one sentence.
This man is honourable, hard working, reliable, and trustworthy.
Unless you are trying for emphasis, it is best to stay away from redundant words and phrases. Even so, there are better ways to make an emphatic point.
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