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18-Apr-2007, 19:17
| | Newbie | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Country: USA
Posts: 23
Current Location: USA First Language: Queens English Member Type: Student or Learner | | Redundant phrases Hi gang,
I need some help. There is a name (one word) for using redundant phrases when instructing, describing or identifying something; and it's not "Redundant phrases" as a co-worker jokingly responded.
Examples:
"Tuna Fish" is redundant because "Tuna" can only be a fish therefore, "fish" is not necessary to mention. - "Big Giant" The word "Giant" signifies something huge, big or large; therefore the word "Big" is not necessary to mention.
- "Raise up" or "Lower down" the anchor. Raise can only go in one direction,"Up" as lower can go in only one direction, "down".
This are just a few examples. At one time I had compiled quite a list in my head which I plan to do again only this time I will recorded them and use it as a game during a social gathering.
Even if you don't know the name of the word to describe my problem, I would appreciate it if you can give me some more examples of....redundant phrases for lack of the proper term.
Thanx in advance group.
~word~ | 
19-Apr-2007, 04:30
| | Editor, UsingEnglish.com | | Join Date: Nov 2002 Country: UK
Posts: 27,038
Current Location: Phnom Penh First Language: English Member Type: English Teacher | | Re: Redundant phrases | 
19-Apr-2007, 13:17
| | Newbie | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Country: USA
Posts: 23
Current Location: USA First Language: Queens English Member Type: Student or Learner | | Re: Redundant phrases Quote:
Originally Posted by Tdol |
Thank you TDOL, this is such a great community.
I sent this same post to another forum on this site because I wasn't quite sure which one my question fell under.
I received a reply from "Philly" who also gave me an example.
Here's the link and Thanx again my friend.
~word~ http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...ill-clear.html | 
20-Apr-2007, 06:54
| | Editor, UsingEnglish.com | | Join Date: Nov 2002 Country: UK
Posts: 27,038
Current Location: Phnom Penh First Language: English Member Type: English Teacher | | Re: Redundant phrases You're welcome. | 
20-Apr-2007, 13:15
| | Member | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Country: Australia
Posts: 181
Current Location: Sydney First Language: English Member Type: Other | | Re: Redundant phrases Quote:
Originally Posted by word Hi gang,
I need some help. There is a name (one word) for using redundant phrases when instructing, describing or identifying something; and it's not "Redundant phrases" as a co-worker jokingly responded.
Examples:
"Tuna Fish" is redundant because "Tuna" can only be a fish therefore, "fish" is not necessary to mention. - "Big Giant" The word "Giant" signifies something huge, big or large; therefore the word "Big" is not necessary to mention.
- "Raise up" or "Lower down" the anchor. Raise can only go in one direction,"Up" as lower can go in only one direction, "down".
This are just a few examples. At one time I had compiled quite a list in my head which I plan to do again only this time I will recorded them and use it as a game during a social gathering.
Even if you don't know the name of the word to describe my problem, I would appreciate it if you can give me some more examples of....redundant phrases for lack of the proper term.
Thanx in advance group.
~word~ | How about new innovation ? | 
20-Apr-2007, 15:08
| | Newbie | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Country: USA
Posts: 23
Current Location: USA First Language: Queens English Member Type: Student or Learner | | Re: Redundant phrases Quote:
Originally Posted by sydneysider How about new innovation ?  | Absolutely and thank you.
Last evening "Sport athlete" was mentioned, does this qualifies as tautology?
I think it does. What else would you think of when you hear "Athlete"?
If someon is in excellent physical condition, would you call them an athlete? If so, then it does not qualify. | 
21-Apr-2007, 06:51
| | Member | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Country: Australia
Posts: 181
Current Location: Sydney First Language: English Member Type: Other | | Re: Redundant phrases Mnn...An athlete is someone who possesses the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise.
A "sport athlete" is repetitive and is definitely a case of stating the obvious. In my opinion this phrase belongs to the same category of tautology. | 
23-Apr-2007, 15:23
| | Newbie | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Country: USA
Posts: 23
Current Location: USA First Language: Queens English Member Type: Student or Learner | | Re: Redundant phrases Quote:
Originally Posted by sydneysider Mnn...An athlete is someone who possesses the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise.
A "sport athlete" is repetitive and is definitely a case of stating the obvious. In my opinion this phrase belongs to the same category of tautology. | Excellent response!
Thank you SydneySider | 
24-Apr-2007, 11:39
| | Member | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Country: Australia
Posts: 181
Current Location: Sydney First Language: English Member Type: Other | | Re: Redundant phrases You're welcome. | 
02-May-2007, 08:37
|  | Senior Member | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Country: sweden
Posts: 1,031
Current Location: stockholm First Language: swedish Member Type: Academic | | Re: Redundant phrases Quote:
Originally Posted by word Hi gang,
I need some help. There is a name (one word) for using redundant phrases when instructing, describing or identifying something; and it's not "Redundant phrases" as a co-worker jokingly responded.
Examples:
"Tuna Fish" is redundant because "Tuna" can only be a fish therefore, "fish" is not necessary to mention. - "Big Giant" The word "Giant" signifies something huge, big or large; therefore the word "Big" is not necessary to mention.
- "Raise up" or "Lower down" the anchor. Raise can only go in one direction,"Up" as lower can go in only one direction, "down".
This are just a few examples. At one time I had compiled quite a list in my head which I plan to do again only this time I will recorded them and use it as a game during a social gathering.
Even if you don't know the name of the word to describe my problem, I would appreciate it if you can give me some more examples of....redundant phrases for lack of the proper term.
Thanx in advance group.
~word~ | Hi
They are also called "pleonasms". I am mostly used to using this term. Pleonasm - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |  | | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes | Linear Mode |
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