What Is Tautology? (with Examples)
Tautology
Tautology is the needless repetition of a single concept.
Easy Examples of Tautology
Look at these examples of tautology:- At that moment in time, the stars dimmed. (It's always a moment in time.)
- The man who used to live next door is a single bachelor. (Bachelors are always single.)
- The vote was totally unanimous. (The word totally doesn't add anything.)
- He was in a three-way love triangle. (The word three-way doesn't add anything.)
- He left at 3 am in the morning. (The term am means in the morning.)
- The reason is because he left during the dinner. (The word because doesn't add anything.)
- In our assessment, we think he is alive. (In our assessment and we think do the same job.)
- This is a new innovation. (Innovations are always new.)
- At that moment in time, the stars dimmed. (It's always a moment in time.)
Real-Life Examples of Tautology
- Many people's commute back and forth to work requires them to spend hours behind the wheel each day. (The words back and forth don't add anything.)
- That's one of the great advantages of age...you can throw temper tantrums, and nobody minds. (Author James Lee Burke) (The word temper doesn't add anything.)
- I asked the question, "Will I ever perform again?" (Musician Brian Harvey) (The words the question could be removed, but the result would be less empathic.)
- Everyone is the sum total of past experiences. A character doesn't just spring to life at age thirty. (Writer Kelley Armstrong) (The words total and past could be removed, but sum total and past experiences are set terms.)
- Of course, everybody's thinking evolves over time. (Ethiopian politician Meles Zenawi) (The words over time could be removed, but the emphasis on time would be lost.)
- He placed the chicken on the so-called "clean" surface.
- His so-called "mates" left him in the tree. (Technically, there is no need for the word "so-called" in these two examples because that's what the quotation marks denote.)
Why Should I Care about Tautology?
Spotting tautology is useful for eliminating redundant words, which will not only reduce your wordcount but also portray you as a clear thinker. Here are some tautological terms that could be shortened safely (i.e., with no loss of meaning):Armedgunman- Attach
together - Depreciate
in value - Warn
in advance
- I need to ask the question.
- We evolve over time.
- She died of a fatal dose of heroin. Argument For: You don't need the word fatal.
- Present a short summary. Argument For: Summaries are always short.
- Enter your PIN number in the ATM machine. Argument For: The N in PIN stands for Number, and the M in ATM stands for Machine.
Argument Against: She might have died from a non-fatal dose, i.e., one that wouldn't kill most people.
Argument Against: Er, no they're not.
Argument Against: Yeah, okay. But, PIN and ATM have become standalone terms these days. It's helpful to put the words number and machine to ensure everyone understands.
Key Point
Remove the redundant words in a tautology. However, if you lose something by removing the redundant words (e.g., emphasis, desired flow of text, clarity), put them back in.Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?