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Tautology: Saying the Same Thing 2x Times

© Barb Alexander

You're absolutely right, and I'm glad you're paying attention -- the title of this article is incorrect. It reads "two times times." This is called tautology, or, saying the same thing twice.

The best way for me to elaborate on the subject of tautology (also referred to as "redundancy") is to offer examples. Wanna have some fun? Keep your eyes peeled and your ears alert for:

• SAT test

• $100 dollars (We're so used to seeing that dollar sign, it's difficult to catch the repetition of "dollars" in this one.)

• Dot.com (Same here with the dot.)

• In my opinon, I think that...

• Joint cooperation (Don't you hate cooperating alone?)

• HIV virus

• One after the other in succession

• PIN number, which you use at the...

• ATM machine

• Very unique

• To reiterate again

• Please R.S.V.P. (That acronym stands for the French "Respondez, s'il vous plait," or, "Respond, please.")

• Win a Free Trip! (If you're winning it, it's free.)

• First priority

• Close proximity

• 2 a.m. in the morning (As opposed to 2 a.m. in the afternoon?)

• Necessary requirement

• The reason is because

• And etc. (Et cetera is latin for "and so on," so now you've got "and and so on.")

• CD-ROM disk (The "disk" part is taken care of with the "CD" -- compact disk.)

• Adequate enough (it's either "adequate" or "enough")

• Today's modern technology

I'll bet you've come across an example of tautology in a magazine, e-mail, or conversation today. Post it in a discussion on this article and add to the list of redundant repetitions!

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