Redundancy Quiz #31 for Writers: Can You Score 100%?

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Redundancy Quiz #31

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 thirty-first 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

It’s time to hunt and seek for those gratuitous 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. The discussions about restrictions are ongoing right now.
  2. Stock markets are plunging both on Wall Street as well as on Bay Street.
  3. We will continue on with our presentation in ten minutes.
  4. The wall had been whitewashed, he saw, and painted over with illicit graffiti.
  5. We are working with the current legislation that already exists.
  6. This will be their first initial meeting with the angel investor.
  7. The room was utterly empty.
  8. Take a listen to this audio recording, and then take a look at the evidence.
  9. Multiple landslides are exacerbating the emergency
  10. The house was wrapped up in a fascinating mystique of spookiness that kept potential squatters from entering.
Find thousands of writing tips and word lists in
The Writer’s Lexicon series
and additional resources on my Facebook page.
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Suggested Edits

Edit #1: The discussions about restrictions are ongoing right now.

ongoing: happening right now

The –ing suffix indicates present continuous (present progressive) verb tense, which refers to actions, processes, or conditions that are happening right now.

Many editors would also recommend deleting the.

Alternate wording: [Arguments, Debates, Deliberations, Disputes] about restrictions are [advancing, continuing, in progress, progressing].

Edit #2: Stock markets are plunging both on Wall Street as well as on Bay Street.

both: refers to two people or things

as well as: in addition; too

Since the two streets are mentioned by name, do we need to specify that both of them are plunging?

Alternate wording: Stock markets are [in freefall, nosediving, plummeting] on Wall Street and on Bay Street.

Do we need on? Probably not.

Edit #3: We will continue on with our presentation in ten minutes.

continue: carry on; go on; keep on

If we were to substitute the definitions, we’d end up with:

  • We will carry on on with our presentation in ten minutes.
  • We will go on on with our presentation in ten minutes.
  • We will keep on on with our presentation in ten minutes.

Alternate wording: We will [recommence, resume, return to] our presentation in ten minutes.

Edit #4: The wall had been whitewashed, he saw, and painted over with illicit graffiti.

graffiti: illicit writings or drawings on a public place like a wall or building

Is there any need for he saw? Although it’s not redundant, it doesn’t add anything to the sentence. Some editors would also recommend deletion of over.

Alternate wording: The wall had been whitewashed and painted over with [a portrait of _____, indecent suggestions, nudes, the words to _____].

Edit #5: We are working with the current legislation that already exists.

current: existing

existing: current

Need I say more? An alternative approach would be to remove current instead of that already exists, but deleting the phrase saves more words.

Alternate wording: We are [complying with, following, obeying, observing] the current legislation.

Edit #6: This will be their first initial meeting with the angel investor.

first: initial

initial: first

A preferred approach by many writers would be to remove initial instead of first.

Alternate wording: This will be their [exploratory, introductory, preliminary] [conference, discussion, negotiation] with the angel investor.

Edit #7: The room was utterly empty.

utterly: wholly; completely; downright

empty: vacant; bare; deserted

If an area is vacant, it doesn’t need to be modified with the adverb utterly. If the room contains anything at all, it wouldn’t be empty.

Alternate wording: The [attic, basement, bedroom, bunker, dungeon] was [deserted, unlived in, unoccupied].

Edit #8: Take a listen to this audio recording, and then take a look at the evidence.

take a listen: listen

take a look: look

The definitions should make the redundancies obvious. Other phrases to analyze:

  • take a gamble
  • take a hike
  • take a tour
  • take a break
  • take a walk
  • take a ride

etc.

Is there any need for audio? Listen tells readers that the character is being urged to pay attention to something audible.

Alternate wording: Listen to this recording, and then [analyze, consider, examine, inspect, study] the evidence.

Edit #9: Multiple landslides are exacerbating the emergency.

multiple: more than one; several

Since landslides is plural, readers will know that more than one landslide is involved.

Alternate wording: [mention a specific number] landslides are [compounding, heightening] the emergency.

Edit #10: The house was wrapped up in a fascinating mystique of spookiness that kept potential squatters from entering.

mystique: a fascinating aura of mystery, awe, and power

Since the definition of mystique already embraces fascinating, fascinating is redundant.

Many editors would strike out up as well.

Alternate wording: The house was wrapped in [an atmosphere, an aura] of [disquiet, evil, unease] that kept potential squatters from entering.

Master List of Redundancy Quizzes for Writers

Find thousands of writing tips and word lists in
The Writer’s Lexicon series
and additional resources on my Facebook page.
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26 thoughts on “Redundancy Quiz #31 for Writers: Can You Score 100%?”

  1. I always learn something from Kathy.
    *
    #4 I didn’t realize that all graffiti was considered illegal, but yes I checked and yes it is.
    *
    OTHERWISE I got them all right.

    Thanks for the lesson but darn you for the stubbed toe.

  3. Hi Miss Kathy,
    Hooray for another fun and educational quiz!
    I messed up on number 10. Ack! Thanks for letting me know the definition of mystique.
    I hope you’re continuing to improve from your Fitbit fall. Sending positive vibes your way. 🙂
    Fist bumps
    Lenny

    • Thanks, Lenny.

      I hope you’re enjoying spring weather.

      Your positive vibes are much appreciated.

      Reciprocal fist bumps and positive thoughts.

      Kathy

    • Hello Lenny ~
      Are you related to any royalty in the U.K. or Europe? I saw your website and noticed where you showed “My heritage” and royal standards. We may be distantly related as I am a direct descendant of Charlemagne, king of the Franks (French), King of Italy and in A.D. 600 was crowned Emperor of the Western Empire.

      I am also a descendant of England’s King Alfred the Great king of the Saxons, also Robert the Bruce – King of Scotland, also England’s King William I (the Conqueror) and through his son King Henry I and many other kings and queens.

      I’ve documented my genealogy going back beyond A.D. 550 for a book I’m writing to pass on to my family and others. I live in Arizona in the USA but my great-grandfather was born in Norfolk, England and sailed to America in 1836. He said that the small ship narrowly missed icebergs in the shipping lanes near Greenland.

      Would enjoy hearing back from you if we have any connection. I have a great interest in ancient history, archaeology, the Dead Sea Scrolls and Bible manuscripts, the Celtic and Nordic cultures, American politics. and am writing six books that embrace all the above and more.

      Have a good day, from Caroline Cooper Olson

  4. All AOK except 4, which I have to disagree on since a casual search on whether graffiti is good or bad, throws up some interesting stuff, often referring to “good graffiti”… sticks tongue out (haha).

    • That’s interesting, James. Translating “good graffiti” using the definition for graffiti results in good illicit writings or drawings. Definitely an oxymoron. 😉

  6. Hello Kathy ~
    Another brilliant list. Thank you! I made notes about some of your choices and will use them in a book I’m writing, so know they are appreciated.

    On a different note, you and your readers should be aware that yesterday I learned that Amazon banned more books on Kindle. Leo Hohmann reported that his book Stealth Invasion was suddenly, without warning, removed from Amazon and his readers wondered why? When the president of his publisher at Post Hill contacted Amazon, he was told it was removed due to “hate speech.” This was stunning because the book Stealth Invasion, was about sane immigration control, as opposed to Biden’s open borders, and mentioned the Muslim Brotherhood that is attacking Americans and intends to change America from the inside. Kathy, his book has been on Amazon since 2017 with a five-star review with 135 reviews and only 3 that did not give it a 5 star review. So, WHY is it suddenly after six years sold on Amazon it is banned, the publisher asked?

    Amazon said it was against their Content Guidelines. Hohmann’s publisher was also astonished to find out that Amazon banned another of their books for the first time in 10 years. Stealth Invasion is still at Barnes&Noble, but the author wonders for how long? Censorship is becoming more common at Amazon if someone in power complains about a book’s contents.

    Last week I reported the Goosebumps books had 100 words removed or changed, and the James Bond books also are being re-worded to be “politically correct.”

    The source for this latest banned book/s was at the website for The Gateway Pundit yesterday 21 March 2023.

    I am wondering if Barnes&Noble also are banning books. Has anyone heard?

    Caroline Olson in Arizona

    • Caroline, I hope you don’t mind me pointing out that The Gateway Pundit is known to be a false news outlet who peddles fake news regularly, distorts information, falls for hoaxes, and spreads conspiracy theories. You might want to check further about this information (contact the book publisher directly?) at the source and not a news outlet with a questionable reputation. Twitter banned Gateway Pundit in 2021, and many news fact-checking organizations have deemed them fake news. We all need to be extra careful that we don’t proliferate fake news online.

      • Paula,

        The Gateway Pundit is NOT a fake news outlet. I have seen the same articles they publish elsewhere, including in the mainstream media in the U.S.A. and in the U.K. The Gateway Pundit is often the first news organization to expose important news.

        As for “Fact Checkers” – they are usually paid by the Democrat Party to try to control what gets out there to the pubic. In fact, most of the mainstream media get their daily talking points every morning directly from the Democrat National Committee. CNN admitted this in 2016.

        I worked in politics for 12 years and often saw what goes on. It gets ugly at times.

        • Paula, in addition to the books banned as reported by me this morning that you question, here are more reports about Amazon banning books from their sales. Not just from The Gateway Pundit, a conservative news outlet.

          The New English Review Press reported a book published in 2017 titled The Islam in Islamic Terrorism by Ibn Warraq was pulled by Amazon with no explanation, reported October 2022.

          Several more books listed by titles as banned by Amazon are reported by PJ Media. There are SEVERAL credible reports on many alternative news sites of the Left banning books by conservative authors previously sold on Amazon.

          That’s all. I am too busy to get involved in another controversial argument. I just wondered if Barnes&Noble also are banning books by conservative authors, before I decide where to self-publish my books.

          Does anyone know the answer to my simple question?

        • Caroline, your thoughts are appreciated. I’m sure some fact checkers are not clean. Politifact is nonpartisan fact-checking website acquired by the Poynter Institute, a nonprofit school for journalists. They are not part of the Democratic party. PolitiFact reports that 60% of Gateway Pundits is false reporting, with 13% pants on fire. The Amazon banning of Hohmann’s book is certainly disturbing. For the good of all, we need to rely on accurate information from reliable sources. I’d be interested in hearing what the publisher is saying and what they are doing about it.

          • Paula and Kathy and others who claim Gateway Pundit is false reporting, after I posted that Leo Hohmann reported yesterday that Amazon recently banned his book titled Stealth Invasion.

            Well, just now I broke my own rule and did a search on GOOGLE: “Stealth Invasion book banned by Amazon.” Guess what? Not only did Gateway Pundit report the article posted by the author himself, Google reports that the story was also reported by:

            VDARE
            Jihad Watch
            P J Media
            Reddit
            Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform.

            I rest my case.

        • Kathy, just to be clear to all here, I am not saying Amazon did not take down his book. That appears to be true, although mainstream media doesn’t have a lot to say about it. My comment was to point out certain news sources are the least reliable sources, especially if they are known to publish far-right conspiracy issues because the slant is so often misleading, completely false, and can incite. Amazon notes that they took the book down because the content violated their Content Guidelines. They noted: “The primary purpose is to paint Muslim immigration to the US and Europe as treacherous, violent and as a weapon used by the Muslim Brotherhood to change the US from inside.” Amazon has been taking books down for years that they find inappropriate by their standards: “We don’t sell certain content including content that we determine is hate speech, promotes the abuse or sexual exploitation of children, contains pornography, glorifies rape or pedophilia, advocates terrorism, or other material we deem inappropriate or offensive.” Any bookshop owner or online distributor has the right to decline selling certain books that they deem noncompliant with their standards. As horrible as the author must feel about Amazon’s actions, Amazon does have the right to choose which books they want to sell on their site.

          • Paula, I agree with you that Amazon has the right to choose which books they will publish according to their “guidelines.”

            However, Leo Hoffman was surprised because Amazon SUDDENLY decided, after more than SIX YEARS of selling his 5 star book that it didn’t meet their guidelines. It does appear that the author’s suspicion is correct, that someone in the Muslim Brotherhood complained to Amazon. Leo said his book had 132 certified readers who gave his book a 5 star rating and only three did not.

            Last week I wrote here that the U.K Times and the New York Post and (gasp!) that dastardly Gateway Pundit reported that author R. L. Stine says the U.K. Times found more than 100 edits in the Goosebumps books for kids. He said he did not make the changes and suspected it was done by Amazon to get in line with the “woke” crowd.

            I might add that The Gateway Pundit’s website shows their fact checking on the mainstream media, and clearly exposes their LIES and false reporting going way back.

            I find it curious that people trust the mainstream media but attack independent sources. As an investigator and researcher, I always go back to the ORIGINAL source for the facts. Then I feel competent when I share with others, and then wonder why I am challenged. It has to be because I am a conservative.

            • Slight correction. Author Leo Hohmann said he had 135 certified readers and out of that number 132 gave him a 5 star rating while only three did not. I like to be correct.

          • I caught that, Paula, and I agree about the websites that share unfounded conspiracy theories, fake news, etc. a large percentage of the time. Even a person who says it’s 12 noon every hour, 24 hours a day tells the truth once during those hours. 🙂

    • Thanks for stopping by again, Caroline. I wasn’t aware of the information you mention in your comment. However, I have heard about fake news shared by The Gateway Pundit.

      Unfortunately, Amazon is currently the largest distributor of books in the world, and they have the right to establish and enforce content guidelines. Stealth Invasion is still available in at least some libraries.

      Regarding Goosebumps and James Bond books, I’d tend to review the info with a hefty dose of skepticism. See this Google search: https://www.google.com/search?q=%22the+gateway+pundit%22+fake+news+outlet 😉

      • Kathy, you do realize, I hope, that Google and Amazon are on the same team as leftists. I read a report by several journalists last week who reported their investigation of Google in a newsletter by Dr. Joseph Mercola that Google is censoring conservative websites, including physicians, and more. They claim it is to stop “misinformation” but it is to protect what the Global Elites are determined to CONTROL.

        In your last newsletter, I reported that the author of Goosebumps was stunned when his books had 100 words removed or changed without his knowledge. And I gave the sources, as I recall. if not, I have them. He reported it to several outlets.

        I never use Google. I have found they are NOT credible. They ban several conservative medical, scientific, religious and political sources. I use duckduckgo for searches.

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