Redundant WordsDuring my GMAT preparation, I have come across the following words, which are considered redundant in single sentence. I have compiled this list with the help of several reading materials collected from both online and offline. Your suggestions to make this document more precise are highly solicited.
1. Also + and
2. Although + while
Although and while both present contrast and using both in same sentence is redundant
3. Although + yet
Using “although” and “yet” in the same sentence to present the same contrast makes one of them redundant.
4. Amount + as much as
Redundant: ... amount X is twice as much as amount Y
Better: ... amount X is twice amount Y
5. Attempt to + try or try to attempt
Attempt means to try. 'Attempts to' is correct idiom.
6. Because + therefore
Redundant: Because we were tired, we therefore stopped for the night.
Better: We stopped for the night because we were tired
7. Because + The reason
The reason that certain spicy foods, such as the Habanero pepper, makes some people sweat is because they contain a chemical that stimulates the same nerve endings in the mouth as does a rise in temperature; this stimulation sometimes results in the activation of certain biological cooling mechanisms, one of which is perspiration.
8. Because of + explained
Using “because of” in the sentence with “explained” for the same purpose makes it redundant.
A phenomenon that is explained not just because of more expensive drugs but by the fact that doctors a ……………
9. IMO: Besides and also are redundant in the same sentence,
OG 2nd 106
10. Both + as well as
Only through a thorough, government-funded vaccination program can the epidemic of malaria be curbed, just like the spread of both cholera as well as the spread of typhoid was curbed.
11. But + if : Usage of but + if is redundant
12. By means of
"By" is sufficient to introduce the way. (IMO: "By means of", i.e., ‘by + means of’ is redundant. Only ‘as a means of’ or ‘by’ is correct.)
Foods high in tryptophan, an amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin, can help people to fall asleep by means of reducing anxiety, relaxing the brain, and in the regulation of the sleep cycle. Incorrect.
Foods high in tryptophan, an amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin, can help people to fall asleep by reducing anxiety, relaxing the brain, and regulating the sleep cycle. Correct.
13. Can + potentially.
OG 11, verbal review Q: 19
14. Compared to/with + more/less
Compared to/with” is redundant in a comparison that already includes the word more/less; in such an instance, more than/less than should be used.
15. Consensus of opinion
Consensus of opinion is redundant: consensus means "general agreement."
16. Cooperate + together
17. Decline + down
18. Decrease + down
19. Despite + yet
Despite the increasing number of women graduating from law school and passing bar examinations, yet the proportion of judges and partners at major law firms who are women have not risen to a comparable extent.
20. Double + Verb
"Double" is a verb not a quantity and the following sentence has already a verb "produces". So double is redundant.
Today, because of improvements in agricultural technology, the same amount of acreage produces double the apples that it has in 1910.
Correct version: twice as many apples as it did
Construction with "double as many apples as" or "double the apples" is incorrect here, but "double the number of apples" is appropriate. Double the apple is ambiguous in meaning. It could also mean double the apple's size.
21. Due to + with the result
22. End + result
23. Ever
Rarely ever and seldom ever are incorrect. Ever is redundant here.
24. Final + outcome
25. Free + gift
26. Growth + increased
Growth in increased revenue
27. Including + those of
Most European countries—including those of Bulgaria and Romania—have joined the European Union; Norway and Switzerland, however, have steadfastly refused to do it.
i. those has no antecedent
ii. those of is redundant, since Bulgaria and Romania are European countries
Right: Most European countries—including Bulgaria and Romania—have joined the European Union; Norway and Switzerland, however, have steadfastly refused to do so.
28. Including + among
29. In place + substitute
30. May + likely to
31. Maybe + perhaps
32. More + numerical entity (five times)
“More” is already numerical!! We don’t or rather can’t use more and a numerical entity (five times) together. It becomes redundant to the extent of being plain wrong.
I have more pens than he has
I can ONLY mean I have a greater number of pens.
33. More + rather than
34. Now + currently
His studies of ice-polished rocks in his Alpine homeland, far outside the range of present-day glaciers, led Louis Agassiz in 1837 to propose the concept of an age in which great ice sheets had existed in now currently temperate areas. Incorrect
35. Past + experience
36. Past + previous
37. Provisions that provide
38. Reason + why
The reason explains same thing as why explains
39. Recommended + should
"The report recommended that hospital should eliminate unneeded beds ... "
40. Regain + again
41. Regardless vs. Irregardless
Regardless means "not withstanding." Hence, the "ir" in irregardless is redundant. Regardless is the correct form.
42. Retrospective + back
The studio's retrospective art exhibit refers back to a simpler time in American history.
43. Revert + back
44. Rise + up
45. Same exact thing
The same thing and exact thing are similar
46. Soar + up
47. Sufficient enough is redundant.
48. Sum + total
The three prices sum to a total of $ 321.
49. Surrounded on all sides
50. Those + who
‘Who’, referring to ‘those’ is redundant. Since we already have a pronoun (those), we do NOT need another pronoun (who) immediately next to it. That extra pronoun is redundant (and unnecessary).
51. Twice as much as the increase
"Increase" is an explicitly numerical quantity. If the noun in question is already an explicitly numerical quantity, then you should use neither "much" nor "many". Instead, you should just use "twice" or "double" by itself.
e.g., twice the increase --> "increase" is an explicitly numerical quantity
52. Twice + compare to
53. Underlying + behind
Redundant: The underlying motive behind his kind words was so that he could borrow money from me.
Better: The underlying motive for his kind words was so that he could borrow money from me.
Better: The motive behind his kind words was so that he could borrow money from me.
54. Whether or not: "Or not" after "whether" is redundant.
Hasan Mahmud[/size]
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