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Pleonasm, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Tautology, Tautology vs Pleonasm, Weak Words, writers, writing
I owe you an apology. I made a mistake.
I can hear you all gasping in horror. “What? The Maven of Strong vs Weak Words made an error? That can’t be! My world is shaken.”
Sadly, it is true.
I’ve called phrases like “rate of speed” and “at this moment in time” tautologies. Wrong-O. They are examples of pleonasm, or where more words than necessary are used to convey an idea.
Your car can:
“Travel at a rate of speed of 50-miles-per hour.
~ Or ~
“Travel at a speed of 50-miles-per-hour.”
~ Or better yet ~
“Travel at 50-miles-per hour.”
A tautology, on the other hand, is using a series of words that mean the same thing. For example, “tiny little spider” or “big huge spider.” If a spider is tiny, can it be anything other than little?
See the difference?
For the record, I dislike tiny little and big huge spiders. Not crazy about mid-sized medium spiders either.
The lines of distinction are blurry at times because both pleonasm and tautology refer to redundancy. But let’s not split hairs here. Think of Mr. Pleo as using too many words to introduce or transition an idea, and Mr. Taut as repeating, reiterating, and restating yourself. (My kids accuse me of being Mrs. Taut.)
Mr. Wick E. Pedia (a good friend of Mr. Pleo and Mr. Taut) pointed me to this quote when I educated myself on the subject at hand.
“At the risk of being redundant and repetitive, and redundant, let me say that tautology is the last thing children need from their parents, especially when they are in trouble.”
~ Tom Sturges, Parking Lot Rules & 75 Other Ideas for Raising Amazing Children
Tommy-boy knows what he is talking about.
A parent shouldn’t say, “You stupid, idiotic, and daft child. Why did you waste time reading Robin’s pointless, inane, and moronic blog when you could have watched Dancing with the Stars? (Tautology for those of you I lost.)
If a parent were to scold using pleonasms, it would sound like this. “In my personal opinion, it is a true fact that the amount of time you spend on Robin’s blog is a waste of time.
What does this all boil down to? Don’t use more words than you need to say what you have to say. (Better yet: Don’t use more words than you need.)
P. S. I will sift through my examples on previous tautology posts and correct my wayward behavior.
Related articles
- Strong vs Weak Words ~ Part 33 ~ Tautologies (robincoyle.wordpress.com)
Robin Coyle 
Pingback: Strong vs Weak Words ~ Part 36 ~ Strong Sentences « Robin Coyle
Robin,
Didn’t know the terms, but knew not to commit these crimes. I try to root them out with careful editing as that’s when they appear for me. Several years ago, I did some freelance writing for a massage magazine and the short pieces (300 words) really helped me avoid tautologies and pleonasms. I’d write an article, then go back and edit – shaving of unnecessary words and it was amazing how much clearer and crisper my writing became. I remember reading a quote from some famous writer (whose name now escapes me) who apologized for the length of his letter saying that he didn’t have the time to write a shorter one. Love that.
Cathy
I want to say that quote was from Mark Twain. Stay right here . . . I’ll be right back.
Okay . . . I’m back from visiting Mr. Wick E. Pedia and it was Mark Twain.
Once your eye knows to look for such things, they come with a a siren, flashing light, and bullhorn.
It sounds like something he would say. I was just to lazy to go look. 🙂
You know, I think we’ll let you off. Still good advice 🙂
You are so forgiving and so kind, Pete. How are things in your world? I hate being out of blogging commission while my dad is sick.
I’m good thanks. About to start the next draft of my crime novel. I will be seeking and destroying on a laptop near me soon 🙂
I wouldn’t worry about being out of touch with the blogasphere. Family come first and we’ll all still be here when things settle down. Take care.
What draft number is it for you? I lost count of how many times I edited my manuscript.
Happy to report, Dad is on the mend!
This will be the third draft proper draft. Then some polishing. Then more seek and destroy. Polish. Draft. Polish. Final edits. Second final edit. Polish … 😀
Robin,what a great post! I really enjoyed it, and it’s very powerful too. (Now you can tell me how many sins I’ve committed already). I fear I’m guilty of Pleos and Tautos but sometimes, just sometimes there might be a place for them. I’ve only just found your blog so I’ll be having a mooch round the earlier part of the series. My good friend Dana Mason pointed me here and I’m so glad she did. What a find!
When you’re all done, maybe you could collate these articles into a book!!! 🙂 Thank you, this is absolutely brilliant.
Nicky! Hello! So nice to have you here. I love Dana. And, I love that she sent you my way. I do plan on compiling my Strong vs Weak Word series into a book. I’m no grammar/usage expert, but I’ve enjoyed sharing what I learned while editing my book.
I don’t know if you saw on my blog that my father is very ill and has been in the hospital for five weeks. Therefore, my blogging, reading blogs, and commenting on blogs of late is off and on while I attend to him and his health issues. Don’t give up on me! I’ll be back!
I am definitely guilty of tautology but I’m becoming conscious of it at least and trying to widdle my sentences down to say what I have to say.
But it’s so much fun to talk about the big, large, huge, monster, gigantic lizard that lives on my front window ledge.
I never would have known either way, but thanks for the correction. 🙂 its nice knowing these things have names
Well you are a daft silly, aren’t you?
I need all of the help I can get with my writing skills Robin so thanks much for these tidbits.
BTW, have you read VERLYN KLINKENBORG’s piece in the NY Times recently that talks about the literal and contextual phrasing of sentences. I found it pretty useful.
The Trouble with Intentions
Thanks for the link to the article. Very interesting. It is like, “I know what I mean so my reader should know what I mean.” Take these two sentences.
“Because I am on a diet, I only allow myself chocolate on Tuesdays.”
Wow! Lucky you. You eat chocolate all day on Tuesday? No salad, meat, or ice cream?
What I meant was, “Because I am on a diet, I reward myself with one piece of chocolate every Tuesday.”
Not a great example, but I found some sentences like the first one in my WIP. I had to stand back and say, “Huh?”
thanks for the grammar lesson– not sure if I can retain it but amusing and educational. (glad to read of the “plan” in the comment box”) Mrs Taut.. haa isn’t that a Mother’s right?
When they had you your baby in the hospital, they also hand you a permission slip for repeating yourself.
ahh yes the golden permission slip….
I’m guilty of both and I know it, so the struggle goes on. Good luck starting this weekend with your parents, also If I can be of any help during the transition to Portland re: local contacts let me know. I went through this a few years ago with my own parents so have some familiarity with the area, although with your sister living there I’m sure things are well covered, but just in case, best wishes, Penny
Yes, both sisters have lived in Portland for years, so I’m sure we have our bases covered there. But thanks for the offer. I’ll take you up on it if we need to!
Excuse me. I need to go eat my Wheaties. It is going to be a long week.
Yes…the breakfast of Champions!
Oh Robin, please, don’t let my children read this, because I’m a harper! 😀 I’m also really bad for pleonasm. Now I’ll know what to call it. For instance, instead of saying something like, “My wrists are so bleeping tiny, I could clean the bottom of a long-stemmed vase, if I wanted to!” I would say something like, “I have the tiniest, smallest, little wrists in the world and I love them!”
How do I say….? Robin, Dearest Dear, you have the most wondrous, wonderful, awe inspiring blog, and I think it’s amazing! 😉
I don’t believe you are a harper. I think you are a gentle prodder towards all things good.
By the way, I approve of your last sentence. I may use it as my tag line. “This is a wondrous, wonderful, and awe-inspiring blog. Read it.”
~Perfect~
And for a mother of four stubborn boys…. “Harper” is an understatement 🙂
Here here, well said. I think, I’m not sure. I’m confused. 🙂
I know. Me too. Just remember . . . less words to get the job done.
I’m learning more and more from you every day, Robin! I’m even learing from your mistakes (not that I would have known if you didn’t tell me). Very informative post:)
I really hope your parents are going okay 🙂
I’m embarrassed I was spouting off like a know-it-all. Miss Prissy Pants was wrong.
Thanks Dianne. Big developments today. Mom is going into assisted living in Portland. My sisters live there. Dad will follow once he is out of hospital and rehab. Huge relief for all of us.
This is wonderful news. Assisted living will really help your mother. And if she and your father will be together that’s an added bonus 🙂
You’re not Miss Prissy Pants! 😀
Miss Smarty Pants then?
That’s pretty funny that the quote I picked for today on my blog, relates to your post. Great minds think alike. That’s what I say. 🙂
I learned and laughed while reading your post. Less really is more and simpler is better. I swear I’ve cut out so many words from manuscript the past few weeks. It definitely helps.
Yes! Great minds on the same wave-length. Why? Because you are in the middle of edits and I am freshly off them!
I’m back with my folks starting this weekend. I hope to crack open HIGH while I am in the hospital with Dad. It should be calmer and more conducive to reading this time now that he is out of ICU.
I am glad to hear your dad is out of the ICU. I will continue to pray for him.
I can’t wait to be done with editing. I just emailed you. 🙂
Thanks for clearing that up! Now I know!
Probably more than you needed to know.
I see an email from you. I’ll get to that shortly!
I think I must have RAS Syndrome. 😛
Hmmmm . . . enlighten me. What is RAS Syndrome? Do I have it too? Is it life-threatening? Should I call my doctor? Do I sound like a hypochondriac?
Redundant Acronym Syndrome Syndrome. Very contagious stuff. 😛
Ack. I think I have it.
But, as parents, it is our job to repeat things!
Ha! Then I doing my job, repeatedly!
I’m glad you cleared that up 🙂
But in the long run, does it really matter what they are called? I just need to remember to not use extra words!
First off, I was watching “Dancing with the Stars”. Can’t help it. My wife and I used to compete at the lower levels when we were much younger.
Second, spiders of any size are an issue.
Seriously, correcting this issue is one of the first of my self edits. “Less is more” is a very useful mantra when editing.
Less is more is right. I used lots of lists of adjectives in my first draft. When I pared it down to one “killer” adjective, the whole sentence was better.
Reading through the novel I recently finished, I realised that I was really big on tautology four years ago. And I mean big. At one point I came across a sentence which said, “Eventually finally gradually Anna noticed what she was doing and stopped.” I’ve already deleted more than 600 words so far and I’m only just beginning. I’m terrified to think of what could be in store for me!
Also, for some reason I keep reading “pleonasm” as “plasma”. It sounds pretty scientific!
Good luck with your editing. For me, that was when the real work began. The writing part was the easy part. Editing . . . that was grueling, in a fun writerly kind of way. Allow me to refer you to the Strong vs Weak Words series as a helpmate. The series stemmed from the lessons I learned while editing. Oh, and don’t forget that chocolate!
Oh, I’m planning to! I’m going to go through your posts and make a small note of everything so I can refer to it when I’m editing. And of course I won’t forget the chocolate. =D Thanks, Robin!
I need to get my head around those two a bit more I think – I can see the confusion!
By the way, if you don’t like spiders, have you seen my last blog post? Sorry, I know you’re struggling to read all the blogs you follow at the moment with everything else you have going on, but just in case, I shall helpfully provide a direct link, so save you having to try and retrieve it from your email pile! 😉 http://vanessa-chapman.com/2012/09/25/theres-a-baby-alien-growing-in-my-outhouse/
What we call the use of redundant words doesn’t really matter. It is the NOT using redundant words that matters.
Thanks for giving me the link. That is so gross! I’ll sent my husband over to takes care of it for you. He is in charge of dispensing with all spider in our house.
Sadly, I am still very hit and miss with reading blogs. I’ll think, “Oh goodie. I have an hour to check on my friends.” Then, my sister calls with an update on Dad. Poof. Hour gone. I hope to return to regular reading soon. I miss you guys!
Keeping up with the blogs takes up so much time doesn’t it, but sometimes other things are more important. At least you’re still managing to do a few posts, and pop and do a few visits with us. Making sure your parents are ok is much more important than keeping up with the blogs!
A health/family crisis puts everything into perspective.
Robin, I’ve told you a million times, “Don’t exaggerate!”… I don’t think you made a mistake… this post is great because it provides extra information… my example for #33 “ATM machine” is a pleonasm but pleonasm is also considered to be a tautology…which means redundancy, which means pleonasm, which means tautology…
Ouch! My head is spinning! Tautology vs pleonasm. Which one is it? Is it both? Does any one really care? Why am obsessing over this? Should I seek counseling? Or, better idea. I’ll have a “big huge ginormous” glass of wine with Ella Dee.
Can we all come?
Come on down! The more the merrier, and boozier!
Well, notice how none of us picked up on that. Shows how much we know. 😉
But, but, but . . . you are all so smart. I figured you were being polite and collectively decided to not point out my error, mistake, foul-up.
Well, perhaps the others were–I can’t speak for them–but as for myself, I was just plain dumb. 😉
I even learn from your mistakes. Now if I could just learn from mine…. 😉
Ah me. I feel the same way.
Right on, Robin. Part 34. Wow. And still cracking the whip. I appreciate it. Thanks.
No kidding . . . I went back and checked 3 times to make sure I had the “Part” number right! 34! That can’t be! Whoa baby!
My plan to pull this stuff (note here, “stuff” was a topic of a Strong vs Weak Word post, but I don’t care. I am tired and the “stuff shall remain) together in a book is still on the to-do list. Right after “see dad through this health crisis.”
How are you Tess? Sorry I haven’t been by lately.
Thanks for the distinction, not that I ever would have learned otherwise. Pleonasm sounds like a malapropism — sounds like it should be Neoplasm.
They both sound rather medical, don’t they?
Doctor to patient . . . “Sir, you are suffering from pleonasm, tautology, and Alzheimer’s.”
Patient replies . . . “Thank goodness I don’t have Alzheimer’s.
You may think this is in poor taste given my Mom’s Alzheimer’s. However, I told her this joke 6 months ago and she got a great chuckle.
Ohhhhhh! So bad it’s funny! Thanks for the giggle first thing!
Humor is necessary when it hits the fan.
Isn’t that the truth. Mom gave me several good laughs while we spent hours in the hospital. She suggested we have gurney races in the halls to break up the monotony.
Great suggestion by your mom. Bet she could get some sleep deprived interns/residents to participate, too!
In the hospital, monotony is good? (Hope everyone is getting some sleep.
Good point. A boring stay in the hospital is better than one with paddles, crash carts, and code reds.