“My friend, who had a humble background with me, is now a VIP person”
“Our esteemed clients will receive an added bonus with their purchases”
Our everyday conversations often have phrases and wordings like these that we use unnecessarily. All of this without actually realising we are sounding awkward. It is important we know their meanings, and use them legibly by avoiding repeating themselves.
Here’s a list of 100 commonly used redundant words and phrases and why they should be trimmed down for good.
Acronyms and Abbreviations
- ATM machine – ATM stands for Automated Teller Machine.
- PIN number – PIN stands for Personal Identification Number.
- LCD display – LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display.
- HIV virus – HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
- GPS system – GPS stands for Global Positioning System.
- ISBN number – ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number.
- IRS system – IRS stands for Internal Revenue Service.
- RAM memory – RAM stands for Random Access Memory.
- URL link – URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator.
- VIP person – VIP stands for Very Important Person.
General Redundancies
- Free gift – A gift is inherently free.
- Added bonus – A bonus is already something extra.
- Return back – To return is to go back.
- Past history – History is always in the past.
- Exact same – “Exact” and “same” are redundant.
- Close proximity – Proximity already means closeness.
- Unsolved mystery – A mystery is, by definition, unsolved.
- Future plans – Plans are inherently in the future.
- Advance warning – A warning is already given in advance.
- 12 noon / 12 midnight – Noon is always 12 PM, and midnight is always 12 AM.
Common Phrases
- Actual fact – A fact is already actual.
- Completely finished – “Finished” already means complete.
- New innovation – An innovation is always new.
- Exact same thing – “Exact” and “same” are repetitive.
- Completely destroyed – To be destroyed means completely ruined.
- End result – A result is always the end of something.
- Advanced planning – Planning is inherently done in advance.
- Solely unique – “Unique” already means one of a kind.
- Final outcome – An outcome is the final result.
- Basic essentials – Essentials are by nature basic.
Time and Date Redundancies
- Monthly period – A period is already monthly.
- Past experience – An experience is always in the past.
- General overview – An overview is already general.
- Long duration – Duration already implies length.
- Regular intervals – Intervals are regular by definition.
- Plan ahead in advance – Planning is done ahead of time.
- Recurrent again – “Recurrent” already means repeating.
- Every single day – “Every day” is sufficient.
- Historical past – History is always in the past.
- Annual year – An annual event happens every year.
Everyday Speech Redundancies
- Totally unique – Unique means total or one-of-a-kind.
- Very first – The first is inherently very.
- Still remain – To remain is to stay.
- True facts – Facts are always true.
- Significant importance – Importance is inherently significant.
- Completely unanimous – Unanimous already means completely agreed.
- Close collaboration – Collaboration is always close.
- In close proximity – Proximity already means closeness.
- Completely aware – To be aware is to know something fully.
- Absolutely essential – Essential already means absolutely necessary.
Redundant Action Phrases
- Collaborate together – Collaborating inherently means working together.
- Pre-plan – Planning is always done beforehand.
- Revert back – “Revert” already means to go back.
- Repeat again – To repeat is to do again.
- Join together – Joining already implies togetherness.
- Move forward ahead – To move forward is already ahead.
- Opt to choose – To opt is to choose.
- Summarize briefly – Summarizing already means briefly.
- Accumulate together – To accumulate is to gather together.
- End result outcome – The result is the outcome.
Other Common redundant words and phrases
- Try and attempt – To try is to attempt.
- Absolutely necessary – Necessary already implies absolute need.
- Same identical – Identical already means the same.
- Completely surrounded – To be surrounded is to be fully enclosed.
- Genuine authenticity – Authenticity is already genuine.
- In actual fact – A fact is already actual.
- Completely agree – Agree already implies full consent.
- End result conclusion – A conclusion is inherently the end result.
- In real life – Life is inherently real.
- Mutual agreement – An agreement is always mutual.
Excessive Modifiers
- Very unique – Unique is absolute, so it can’t be “very” unique.
- Extremely urgent – Urgency is already extreme.
- Totally exhausted – To be exhausted means fully drained.
- Highly important – Importance is inherently high.
- Really significant – Significant means important enough on its own.
- Very much appreciated – Appreciated already implies gratitude.
- So glad – Glad is already an intense emotion.
- Very anxious – Anxious is a strong feeling by itself.
- Quite satisfied – Satisfied means enough to be pleased.
- Particularly essential – Essential is already particular.
Redundant Comparisons
- More better – “Better” is already comparative.
- Less worse – “Worse” is already a comparison.
- More faster – “Faster” is already a comparison.
- Most best – “Best” is the superlative form.
- Most unique – “Unique” is an absolute quality.
- More superior – “Superior” is already comparative.
- Less stronger – “Stronger” is comparative on its own.
- More heavier – “Heavier” already suggests more weight.
- Most perfect – Perfection is an absolute concept.
- Less fatter – “Fatter” is comparative.
Business Jargon Redundancies
- Plan strategy – A strategy is already a plan.
- Close proximity – Proximity means closeness.
- Corporate office – An office is already corporate in a business context.
- Mutual cooperation – Cooperation is inherently mutual.
- Profit gain – Profit means gain.
- Business transaction – A transaction is always a business exchange.
- Key essentials – Essentials are by nature key.
- Synergistic effect – Synergy already implies an effective collaboration.
- Comprehensive overview – An overview is already comprehensive.
- Strategic plan – A plan is strategic by nature.
Why Avoid redundant words and phrases?
Language is all about clarity and precision.
Eliminating redundant phrases makes sure your message is clear, and direct.
It also improves the professionalism of your writing and speech.
When you cut out unnecessary repetition, you leave only the essentials. It means your communication is now more powerful and effective.
So, next time you’re drafting an email, writing a report, or speaking to someone, pay attention to your language and consider whether you’re repeating yourself.
Small adjustments like these can help big time!