Concise grammar

40 ENGLISH TAUTOLOGIES

TAUTOLOGY

TAUTOLOGY in English refers to the needless repetition of an idea or meaning using different words. It often occurs when the same thing is said more than once in a slightly different way, making the expression redundant. A tautology doesn’t necessarily make a statement wrong grammatically, but it adds no new meaning, and is often considered a style or communication flaw — especially in formal writing or speech.

EXAMPLES OF TAUTOLOGY:

“Free gift” – All gifts are free by nature.

“Repeat again” – To repeat is to do something again.

“New innovation” – All innovations are by definition new.

Tautologies can occur in various contexts:

Spoken language (as a habit of emphasis or lack of vocabulary),

Written communication (due to poor editing),

Cultural expressions (some tautologies become idiomatic or widely accepted).

In Nigeria and many parts of the world, tautologies are often used unconsciously as part of everyday speech. Some are so culturally accepted that they sound "normal" even though they are redundant.

40 COMMON TAUTOLOGIES USED IN NIGERIA AND AROUND THE WORLD

1. Advance warning

2. End result

3. Free gift

4. Join together

5. Repeat again

6. Plan ahead

7. ATM machine (Automated Teller Machine machine)

8. PIN number (Personal Identification Number number)

9. Past history

10. True fact

11. Completely finished

12. Close proximity

13. Return back

14. Added bonus

15. Final conclusion

16. Unexpected surprise

17. General consensus

18. New innovation

19. Usual custom

20. Personal opinion

21. Future plans

22. Continue on

23. Each and every

24. Final outcome

25. Collaborate together

26. Mutual cooperation

27. Whether or not

28. Necessary requirement

29. Merge together

30. More better

31. Small in size

32. Big in size

33. Foreign import

34. Basic fundamentals

35. Honest truth

36. Round in shape

37. Rise up

38. Sit down

39. Stand up

40. Fall down

41. Shout loudly

42. Whisper quietly