Superfluous Words and Phrases in the English language

All online English tutors recommend different measures to learn English vocabulary. This is because English vocabulary is where most English learning aspirants struggle. As an online English speaking course in India, we believe that it is imperative that our students should know common words that are used, words that confuse as well as vocabulary mistakes made by native speakers.

One very common mistake is the use of unnecessary or rather redundant words/phrases in your sentences.

What are superfluous words?

Superfluous words are those words which are unnecessary and are just redundant in an expression. Why would you use extra words and longer expressions that can confuse the reader when you can say the same thing in less words? Using extra words won’t help anyone. Moreover, it can be confusing to the readers. The lesser, the sweeter! If you want to attract more readers, write in a way that’s easier for people to comprehend. Using superfluous words might be okay when conversing, it is far less so when you are writing.

A word which adds nothing extra to a sentence is called a pleonasm. The term ‘tautology’ means a word which merely repeats the meaning of another word in an expression. These are both the cases of redundant and superfluous words and can be avoided. For example- for a long period of time. Here we can remove ‘of time’ or ‘period’. The correct expression will be- for a long period or for a long time.

Commonly used superfluous expressions in everyday conversations:

Most online spoken English classes will have a ready reckoner of these examples that students can refer. When you learn English online, you will definitely sound more confident especially when you speak with English language experts.

The following are some common superfluous expressions:

Comparatively better/ Comparatively good – ‘Comparatively better’ is no term whereas when you are comparing something that is better, you can mention ‘comparatively good’. It is a redundant word. For Example- The doctor asked the patient whether he was feeling comparatively better after two days. Here, the word ‘better’ can be omitted and it should be written as- The doctor asked the patient whether he was feeling comparatively good after two days.

Approach near/ Approach- When we use a sentence that has ‘approach’, avoid mentioning ‘near’. It is a redundant word. For Example- The mother approached near him for work. Here, the word ‘near’ can be omitted and the sentence can be written as- The mother approached him for work.

Suddenly/ Came Across- When we are writing or speaking a sentence having ‘came across’, avoid mentioning ‘suddenly’. It is a redundant word. For Example- While going through the magazine, I suddenly came across a piece of exciting news. Here, the word ‘suddenly’ can be omitted and the sentence can be written as- While going through the magazine, I came across a piece of exciting news.

Repeat again/ Repeat- When we use a sentence that has ‘repeat’, there is no need to mention ‘again’. It is a redundant word. For Example- Can you repeat again please? Here, the word ‘again’ can be omitted and the sentence can be written as- Can you repeat please?

Sufficient enough/ Sufficient- Sufficient and enough have almost equal meanings. Then why use both of them together? For Example- Having got sufficient enough time for the work, he is satisfied. Here, the word ‘enough’ can be omitted and the sentence can be written as- Having got enough time for the work, he is satisfied.

Equally as good / bad etc. as sb. / sth/ Equally good / bad etc. or as good / bad as- When you are comparing one thing with another thing, using “as” is enough. For example- Catherine is equally as charming as her sister. Here, the word ‘equally’ can be avoided and the sentence can be written as- Catherine is as charming as her sister.

More taller/ taller- Taller is a comparative form of tall. When we use comparative forms, we put –er and not put more in front of the word. It is a redundant word. For Example- She is more taller than that boy. Here, the word ‘more’ can be avoided and the sentence can be written as- She is taller than that boy.

Most shortest/ shortest- Shortest is a superlative form of short. When we use superlative forms, we put –est and not put most in front of the word. It is a redundant word. For Example- She is the most shortest in the class. Here, the word ‘most’ can be avoided and the sentence can be written as- She is the shortest in the class.

Repeat again/ Repeat- Repeat means to say again. When we use a sentence that has ‘repeat’, avoid using ‘again’. It is a redundant word. For Example- Can you please repeat again? Here, the word ‘again’ can be omitted and the sentence can be written as- Can you please repeat?

9 am in the morning / 9 pm in the evening/ 9 am / 9 pm – Well, AM already means before noon and PM means after midday. Hence, we need not mention ‘in the morning or in the evening’. These are redundant phrases. For Example- His sister came at 9 am in the morning. This is an incorrect sentence. It can be written as- His sister came at 9 am.

Absolutely essential/ essential- Essential means it is absolutely necessary. Therefore, we should avoid using both the words together. For example- Drinking milk is absolutely essential to maintain good health. Here, the word ‘absolutely’ can be omitted and the sentence can be written as- Drinking milk is essential to maintain good health.

Final conclusion/ Conclusion- We all are aware that ‘conclusion’ means the end or finish of an event. When we use a sentence that has ‘conclusion’, there is no need to mention ‘final’. It is a redundant word. For Example- This is the final conclusion of the story. Here, the word ‘final’ can be omitted and the sentence can be written as- This is the conclusion of the story.

Cent percent/ Hundred percent- ‘Cent percent’ is no term. For Example- If you get cent percent marks in Mathematics, you will get a new laptop. Here, the word ‘cent percent’ shouldn’t be mentioned and should be written as- If you get percent marks in Mathematics, you will get a new laptop.

Merged together/ Merged- Merge means to combine to form a single entity. When we use a sentence that has ‘merged’, there is no need to mention ‘together’. It is a redundant word. For Example- The companies were merged together for business. Here, the word ‘together’ can be omitted and the sentence can be written as- The companies were merged for business.

As we can see, these are some are unnecessary and redundant words which can be totally avoided. Therefore, try making the sentences without the superfluous words in order to enhance your English speaking. Hope it helps!

• Contributed by Anjana Dutta

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