Pleonasms: Not a Dinosaur, But They Might Make Your Writing Extinct!
If you stumbled upon the word "pleonasm" and thought, "Is that a type of dinosaur?", you could be forgiven for being mistaken. It does sound like some sort of aquatic prehistoric creature. The only thing they have in common with dinosaurs is their ability to crush your writing under the weight of excessive words.
So, what is a pleonasm? Well, it’s a fancy word for when you use more words than necessary to express an idea—It might seem harmless at first, but pleonasms can make your prose feel clunky and redundant, adding unnecessary bulk to your sentences. Think of them as the verbal equivalent of a T-rex carrying around an extra tail—cumbersome and definitely not needed.
Let’s dig into the fossils (I mean, examples) and uncover the truth behind pleonasms in your writing!
What is a Pleonasm?
A pleonasm is when you repeat what is already obvious in a sentence. It’s like saying, "The ATM machine" (Automatic Teller Machine machine), or "I saw it with my own eyes" (Whose eyes would you be using, exactly?).
It might seem harmless at first glance, but pleonasms can make your prose clunky, redundant, and just a little too verbose. Writers—especially new ones—sometimes fall into the pleonasm trap, thinking they’re adding emphasis or style. In reality, they’re just padding their sentences with extra weight.
Imagine if dinosaurs had weighed themselves down with extra scales for "emphasis." They probably wouldn’t have made it very far. Similarly, your writing won’t survive if it’s bogged down by unnecessary words.
Common Pleonasm Examples (No Dinosaurs Included)
Here are some classic examples of pleonasms that sneak into writing like a crafty velociraptor in the tall grass:
"End result" — Isn’t the result always at the end?
"Free gift" — Gifts are, by definition, free!
"Advance warning" — Warnings are meant to come in advance.
"Unexpected surprise" — If it’s expected, it’s not much of a surprise.
"Added bonus" — Is there a bonus that doesn’t add something?
It’s like every time you use one of these, you’re adding an extra horn to a triceratops—not helping its design, just making it a bit awkward.
How Pleonasms Creep Into Your Writing
So how do these sneaky pleonasms get into your work? Often, they’re part of casual conversation, and that’s how they end up in your prose. Writers can get into the habit of using pleonasms for emphasis, thinking it makes their point clearer. However, instead of clarifying, they’re usually just over-explaining.
Think of pleonasms as the literary equivalent of that friend who explains the joke after telling it. Sure, you got the joke, but now you’re stuck in an awkward explanation spiral.
How to Avoid Pleonasms (Extinction Prevention!)
Ready to clear out the verbal fossils from your writing? Here’s how to identify and eliminate pleonasms:
Read aloud: If a sentence sounds repetitive or redundant, it probably is. Trust your ears—they’ll tell you when a phrase is dragging on like a long-lost pleonasaurus.
Use fewer words: If you can say something in fewer words without losing meaning, do it! "Unexpected surprise" can just be "surprise". Streamlining your writing makes it sharper and more professional.
Be specific: Avoid generalizations and clichés where pleonasms like to lurk. Instead of saying "exact same", just say "identical".
Ask yourself if it’s needed: Always question whether an extra word or phrase adds value to your sentence. If it’s not pulling its weight, let it go—like how the pleonasaurus couldn’t survive the meteor!
Extinct, Not Extinct?
Not all pleonasms need to go the way of the dinosaurs. Sometimes, repetition can be used for style or rhythm in creative writing. For instance, in dialogue, characters might use pleonasms to sound more natural or emphasize a point:
“I want that free gift, right now!”
Here, the extra word might help convey excitement or urgency. But remember, moderation is key—much like how our dino friend the T-rex wouldn’t survive on an all-vegetable diet, your writing won’t thrive if it’s overloaded with pleonasms.
Conclusion
So there you have it—pleonasms aren’t a rare prehistoric creature, but they can still leave fossils in your writing if you’re not careful. To keep your prose as sharp and strong as a raptor’s claws, trim those unnecessary words, and let your ideas roar on their own. Remember, less is more...
Now go forth and make your writing sleek, efficient, and pleonasm-free!
P.S.: If you're worried about sneaky pleonasms creeping into your manuscript, a line edit can really help you tighten up your work. It’s amazing what a second pair of eyes can catch!
