English Language

REDUNDANCIES

Rule 1

Let your writing get “cold” by doing something else for a while and then coming back to your paper. When you come back to your paper, your mind will be fresh to identify redundancies.

Rule 2

Read your writing aloud slowly. Your ear can help you identify words and phrases that are repeated unnecessarily.

Rule 3

Ask someone else to read your writing and mark redundancies. Another set of eyes and ears is always helpful in identifying redundancies.

Redundancy Examples

Reviewing common redundancies is the best way to begin identifying redundancies in your own writing. Below are some examples with sample improvements.

Example: This is a topic of which I will speak of ['of' is repeated twice].

Better: This is a topic of which I will speak.

Example: The company’s future goals . . .[all 'goals' are future].

Better: The company's goals . . .

Example: As we look forward into the future . . .['into the future' is forward].

Better: As we look forward, . . .

Example: Most internal changes within a company are pre-planned [‹internal changes’ are ‹within a company’ and all ‹planning’ is done before hand].

Better: Most changes in an organization are planned.

Example: In life, we sometimes have goals that are often unreachable [the introductory phrase ‹in life’ is cliché and unnecessary and the phrase 'have goals that are often' is wordy and should be reworded to be more concise].

Better: We sometimes set goals that are unreachable.

Example: Acceptance of individual teammates within a team builds strength and character that leads to achieving the team’s intended purpose [the phrase “acceptance of individuals within a team” and “builds strength and character that leads to achieving the team’s intended purposes” are wordy and can be reworded].

Better: Accepting teammates builds character that leads to reaching team goals.

Example: For the vast majority of us, the blatant abusive use of political influence by our public officials...