What Is a Pleonasm?

Have you ever used a pleonasm? If you’re not sure, consider this: Have you sometimes combined words to create phrases such as ice-cold drink, advance planning, hot water heater, or cooperate together? If so, you’ve used a pleonasm. This intriguing linguistic device is more common than you might think and often appears in everyday speech and writing.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll define two types of pleonasms – syntactic and semantic – and provide you with some examples. Then, we’ll explore when they can be effective or otherwise.

What Is a Pleonasm?

A pleonasm is a rhetorical device or literary tool that uses more words than necessary to express an idea. The word is derived from the Greek term pleonasmos, meaning excess or superfluity. In essence, a pleonasm involves using redundant or superfluous words that don’t add any new information to the sentence.

At first glance, pleonasms might seem like errors or poor writing. However, they can serve various purposes in language, from emphasizing a point to creating a particular stylistic effect. Whether you’re a writer, proofreader, editor, or simply enthusiastic about language, understanding pleonasms can help you craft more precise and impactful communication.

Types of Pleonasm

Pleonasms generally fall into two main categories: syntactic and semantic. While the two forms are similar, there are some key differences.

Syntactic Pleonasms

Syntactic pleonasms involve the use of unnecessary words. This extra vocabulary doesn’t change the meaning of the sentence but may alter its emphasis or rhythm.

They often occur naturally in speech and can sometimes find their way into writing. While they may not always be grammatically incorrect, they can make sentences wordier than necessary. Here are some common syntactic pleonasms:

• The reason is because: The word because already implies a reason.
• Return back: Return already means to come back.
• She nodded her head: Nodding inherently involves the head.

Semantic Pleonasms

Semantic pleonasms involve the repetition of meaning using different words. In these cases, one word or phrase in the expression contains the definition of the other.

They are often more subtle than their syntactic counterparts and are commonly used deliberately for emphasis or clarity. Here are some examples:

• Free gift: All gifts are free by design.
• Advance warning: All warnings are given in advance.
• Final outcome: Outcomes are always final.

17 Pleonasm Examples

To better understand pleonasms, let’s examine how they appear across different contexts. Some are obvious or clearly used for stylistic effect, while others are so ingrained in our language that we barely even notice them!

1. The chef completely finished cooking the meal before serving it.
2. Her birthday party was an unexpected surprise organized by her friends.
3. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. 
4. She descended down the stairs quickly.
5. The reason he left early was because he had a doctor’s appointment.
6. An angry customer loudly shouted his complaints to the manager.
7. Hamlet: He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.
8. The company unveiled a new innovation in smartphone technology.
9. Historians study the past history of ancient civilizations.
10. We suggest making advance reservations, as the restaurant is very popular.
11. The castle was surrounded on all sides by a deep moat.
12. The twins wore the exact same outfit to the party.
13. She believed in a predetermined destiny that guided her life choices.
14. As an added bonus, the hotel offered a free spa treatment.
15. Some countries rely heavily on foreign imports to meet consumer demand.
16. The two rivers merge together to form a larger waterway.
17. Nobody makes me bleed my own blood.

Should You Use Pleonasms in Writing?

The use of pleonasms in writing is a topic of debate among language enthusiasts and professionals. While some view them as unnecessary clutter, others recognize their potential rhetorical value. 

When to Use Them

Here are five reasons you might want to use them:

1. Emphasis: When used skillfully, pleonasms can add weight to your statement or be used to stress a particular point. For example, I saw it with my own eyes emphasizes the personal nature of an observation.
2. Increased clarity: In some cases, a little redundancy can help readers grasp difficult concepts or provide additional clarity. Noon midday might seem unnecessary, but it can help avoid confusion in certain contexts.
3. Poetic effect: In literature, pleonasms can contribute to the flow and cadence of your writing, especially in creative works. They may also create rhythm, rhyme, or a specific tone. Shakespeare’s most unkindest cut of all (from Julius Caesar) is a famous example.
4. Cultural or idiomatic expressions: Some pleonasms are deeply ingrained in language as idiomatic expressions, like safe haven, true fact, or tuna fish.
5. Legal precision: Pleonasms are often used in legal documents to cover all possible interpretations and avoid potential loopholes.

When to Avoid Them

While pleonasms can serve a purpose in specific contexts, there are also situations where they can detract from the quality of your writing. Here are four cons of using pleonasms:

1. Perceived lack of skill: In formal or professional writing, excessive pleonasms might be seen as a sign of poor writing.
2. Reduced clarity: Paradoxically, sometimes too many pleonasms can obscure your message instead of clarifying it.
3. Wordiness: Overuse of pleonasms can make your writing unnecessarily verbose.
4. Redundancy: Like the above point, the message or purpose of your writing can become less clear when unnecessary or repetitive words or phrases are used.

If you want to use pleonasms effectively, make sure they serve a purpose. Some pleonasms are acceptable in speech but should be avoided in formal writing. Consider the context, and ask yourself: Is it adding emphasis, clarity, or style? 

During your editing process, identify pleonasms and evaluate whether they’re necessary. If you use them for emphasis too often, they lose their impact; save them for when you really need to drive a point home. It helps to familiarize yourself with frequently used pleonasms so you can catch them in your writing.

Use them sparingly in academic or professional texts. However, in creative writing, you have more freedom to use them for stylistic effect. Either way, if they don’t add value, consider removing them.

If you find you’re still having a hard time spotting pleonasms and determining whether they are necessary, find someone to review your writing. Fresh eyes can often spot unnecessary redundancies that you might have missed.

Proofreading and Editing Pleonasms 

Alternatively, if you are an editor or proofreader, dealing with pleonasms requires a nuanced approach. Here are some tips when looking over someone else’s work:

• Understand the writer’s intent: Before removing a pleonasm, consider whether it may be serving a specific purpose.
• Consider the genre: What might be considered a pleonasm in academic writing could be an effective stylistic choice in creative writing.
• Maintain consistency: If you decide to keep certain pleonasms for style or emphasis, ensure they’re used consistently throughout the document.
• Educate the writer: When appropriate, explain to the writer why certain pleonasms were removed or why they might want to reconsider their use.
• Be mindful of idiomatic expressions: Some pleonasms are so ingrained in language that removing them might make the text sound unnatural.

Becoming a Proofreader and an Editor

Pleonasms are a fascinating aspect of language that can either enhance or hinder your writing, depending on how they’re used. You can elevate any piece of writing by understanding what pleonasms are, recognizing their types, and knowing when to use or avoid them.

If you would like to learn how to address issues like redundancy in various types of writing, sign up for our Becoming A Proofreader or Becoming An Editor course. They’re CPD accredited and beginner friendly. And if you want to save 15% with both courses, we even offer a bundle. 

If you want to see if these courses are right for you, you can even try some free lessons!

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