Monday, September 18, 2023

REDUNDANT WORDS - PLEONASMS IV

Conversational English is filled with redundant phrases - where two or more words are used when - grammatically - one word would suffice. Expressions like future plans, aid and abet, same routine, whether or not, gather together  - and hundreds of others are so ingrained in the language that it would by silly to try to "correct" them. The are benign errors, and they add variety and color to conversation.

Nevertheless, it's interesting sometimes to take note of them, especially ones we take for granted, but have interesting word combinations and also the ones that really are too wordy. A key word from a common redundant phrase (also formally known as a pleonasm) is given below. See if you can beef it up with an extra word or two to form a comfortable, but redundant phrase. #1 is an acronym.

1. PIN
2. LAG
3. GIFT
4. PLAN
5. EACH
6. PALM
7. TUNA
8. REFER
9. KNEEL
10. CIRCLE
11. RESULT
12. EVOLVE
13. HISTORY
14. EXACTLY
15. MYSTERY
16. POSTPONE
17. SUMMARY
18. COMMUTE
19. ELIMINATE
20. DEPRECIATE
21. SURROUNDED
22. STUDIO AUDIENCE
23. HAVEN

Answers:
 
1. PIN Number
2. Lag behind
3. Free gift
4. Plan ahead
5. Each and every
6. Palm of the hand
7. Tuna fish
8. Refer back
9. Kneel down
10. Circle around
11. End result
12. Evolve over time
13. Past history
14. Exactly the same
15. Unsolved mystery
16. Postpone to a later date
17. Brief summary
18. Commute back and forth
19. Completely eliminate
20. Depreciate in value
21. Surrounded on all sides
22. Live studio audience 
23. Safe haven
 


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