Two words same meaning

#1 (**permalink**) 09-May-2006, 11:42

Hi there
Can anyone help me, this is driving me mad!
What's the term used in English Language to describe two words with the same used next to each other in an unnecessary way? E.g. Today's contemporary lifestyles
Thanks!

sevalzorlu · #2 (**permalink**) 09-May-2006, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123

Hi there
Can anyone help me, this is driving me mad!
What's the term used in English Language to describe two words with the same used next to each other in an unnecessary way? E.g. Today's contemporary lifestyles
Thanks!

I think it is called as synonym words.

Tdol · #3 (**permalink**) 10-May-2006, 01:35

Tautology: http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/tautology.html

rewboss · #4 (**permalink**) 10-May-2006, 08:51

A more general word is "pleonasm", which many people think means the same as "tautology".

But although every tautology is also a pleonasm, not every pleonasm is a tautology. Any word that it unnecessary is a pleonasm, as here:

This is the man that I saw.

The sentence would mean exactly the same without the underlined word, so it is pleonastic in this sentence. However, it is not a tautology.

esteele · #5 (**permalink**) 03-Jan-2008, 05:11

Originally Posted by 123
Hi there
Can anyone help me, this is driving me mad!
What's the term used in English Language to describe two words with the same used next to each other in an unnecessary way? E.g. Today's contemporary lifestyles
Thanks!

Redundant...


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