Pleonasm means utilizing extra phrases than are needed. Pleonasm reveals up in phrases like “I noticed it with my very own eyes” (who else’s eyes may have seen it for you?), “purchase now for an added bonus” (a bonus is by definition extra), and “obtain a free present” (presents are all the time free). When you begin to perceive pleonasms, you will notice them pop up in every single place.
What’s pleonasm?
The definition of pleonasm (pronounced plee-uh-naz-uhm) is “using extra phrases than essential to denote mere sense.” Its that means comes from the Greek phrase pleonazein, which implies “to be extreme.”
As a author, try to be acutely aware of how typically you employ pleonasms. A couple of pleonasms sprinkled all through the textual content present strategic emphasis, however too many unintentional pleonasms make your writing look unpolished.
What are the 2 sorts of pleonasm?
1
Syntactic pleonasm
Syntactic pleonasm is a redundancy that’s grammatical in nature. For instance, double negatives are syntactic pleonasms.
“I don’t see why not” is an instance of syntactic pleonasm for the reason that identical factor may simply be expressed in a single phrase: “Positive.”
2
Semantic pleonasm
Semantic pleonasm is a redundant description or concept. For instance, a menu that gives a “blended smoothie” can also be, inadvertently, providing a pleonasm. Smoothies are, by definition, blended fruit drinks.
Pleonasms are widespread in on a regular basis speech, so a few of these phrases may not sound awkward to you. Utilizing pleonasms isn’t inherently good or unhealthy; in actual fact, some writers even use pleonasms on objective.
Pleonasms in writing
Though pleonasm ought to usually be averted in writing, in some situations a author would possibly select to purposely use pleonasm for emphasis or convincing dialogue.
For instance, “I noticed it with my very own eyes” is a pleonasm as a result of the phrase noticed implies that the motion was completed with one’s eyes. It’s extra concise to say, “I noticed it,” or “I noticed it occur.”
Nonetheless, we perceive the phrase “I noticed it with my very own eyes” to imply that the listener is in some state of disbelief. Utilizing pleonasm on this occasion is beneficial to convey that the character simply witnessed one thing exceptional.
It’s widespread to unintentionally discover pleonasms all through your writing since they’re so prevalent in spoken English. That’s why you will need to proofread earlier than you submit. Grammarly’s conciseness recommendations may also help you with this course of.
Pleonasm vs. tautology vs. metonymy
There are a variety of literary units which are associated to coniseness in your writing. One among these units is pleonasm. Different phrases you would possibly encounter are tautology and metonymy.
Pleonasm is using too many phrases.
That is pleonasm as a result of work are a visible medium. In the event you describe them as ornate, it’s already implied that they’re visually ornate.
Tautology in writing is using two (or extra) phrases that convey the identical that means.
That is tautology since imagining is a psychological motion. Tautology is a sort of pleonasm however refers particularly to utilizing phrases with the identical that means.
These tautologies are barely completely different from logical tautologies, statements which are true underneath each doable circumstance.
Metonymy is a literary gadget whereby one phrase is changed with a carefully associated phrase. Whereas pleonasm and tautology place associated phrases collectively in a sentence, metonymy swaps phrases out for each other. An instance of metonymy is utilizing Wall Road in your writing as a stand-in for the monetary sector.
Pleonasm and tautology are literary units the place a author makes use of too many phrases—generally deliberately. Metonymy is one method that will help you minimize down on this wordiness.
Pleonasm examples
- added bonus
- actual reproduction
- international imports
- free presents
- frozen ice
- common routine
- surprising shock
- previous historical past
Pleonasm FAQs
What’s a pleonasm?
Pleonasm is the extreme use of phrases. An instance of pleonasm is “a burning sizzling hearth,” since hearth is burning sizzling by definition. Sometimes, writers purposely use pleonasm so as to add emphasis.
What are the completely different sorts of pleonasm?
Syntactic pleonasm is utilizing extreme phrases inside a sentence construction with out including any that means. For instance, a double destructive like “I can’t not look” is a syntactic pleonasm.
Semantic pleonasm is using extreme phrases to explain one thing. For instance, “ice-cold drink” is a semantic pleonasm as a result of ice is all the time chilly.
What’s the distinction between pleonasm and tautology?
A pleonasm is any extreme use of phrases in writing. A tautology is using two (or extra) phrases that imply the identical factor.