What Are Redundancies?

These nuisances are superfluous words or phrases also known as pleonasms. Rather than augment writing, they slow action scenes and increase word count — without adding constructive details.

About the Quiz

This quiz, the third in its series, offers ten sentences containing redundancies, and ten suggested solutions.

They are edited examples from books, news media, television shows, and overheard conversations.

The Answers Are in the Definitions

Let‘s stare intently at a few sentences and pinpoint the redundancies.

In most cases, you should recognize the superfluous words when you scrutinize the definitions provided with each edit.

And maybe your muse will find story ideas among the changes and suggestions.

Can You Find Every Redundant Word or Phrase?

1. His past history is an indicator of future performance.
2. Right now at this point in time nobody knows who won.
3. She descended down the stairs into the basement.
4. The defenders seized upon their spears and threatened the invaders.
5. Everyone except Mel followed behind the boss.
6. There was a period of time when everyone believed him.
7. They congregated together in the tiny church and prayed for rain.
8. He gathered his wits together and took aim at the intruder.
9. It was the consensus of opinion that we should stay for another hour.
10. Now she was sure she would never ever have to see him again.

Suggested Edits

Edit #1: His past history is an indicator of future performance.

history: a series of past events

Since history already embraces past in its definition, past is redundant.

Edit #2: Right now at this point in time nobody knows who won.

now: at the present time

Now already connotes at this point in time.

Depending on context, the sentence could be rendered even shorter: Now nobody knows who won or: Nobody knows who won.

Edit #3: She descended down the stairs into the basement.

descend: to move down a slope or stairs

As written, the sentence could be paraphrased as: She moved down down the stairs into the basement.

Edit #4: The defenders seized upon their spears and threatened the invaders.

seize: to clutch; to take hold of

Would you ever say, “The defenders clutched upon their spears …” or, “The defenders took hold upon their spears …”?

Edit #5: Everyone except Mel followed behind the boss.

follow: to move or travel behind

Behind is redundant, because the definition of follow already includes it.

Edit #6: There was a period of time when everyone believed him.

time: the period when something occurs

In this sentence, period of is a pleonasm.

Edit #7: They congregated together in the tiny church and prayed for rain.

congregate: to gather together into a large group

Once again, the definition includes the redundant word.

Edit #8: He gathered his wits together and took aim at the intruder.

gather: to bring together

If you read the first seven edits, you’ll understand the reason for this strikeout.

Edit #9: It was the consensus of opinion that we should stay for another hour.

consensus: the general opinion or agreement of a group

Here’s another definition that embraces the deleted phrase.

Edit #10: Now she was sure she would never ever have to see him again.

never: not ever

After nine similar examples, you understand this one, right?

How Did You Do?

Master List of Redundancy Quizzes for Writers