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Tautology
What Is Tautology? (with Examples)
Tautology is the needless repetition of a single concept. For example:- He left at 3 am in the morning.
- He left at 3
amin the morning. - He left at 3 am
in the morning.
Table of Contents
- Easy Examples of Tautology
- Some Harder Examples of Tautology
- Real-Life Examples of Tautology
- Video Lesson
- Why Tautology Is Important
- Printable Test

- Unmarried bachelors tend to buy fancy cars.
UnmarriedBachelors tend to buy fancy cars.- Unmarried
bachelorstend to buy fancy cars.
Easy Examples of Tautology
Here are some examples of tautology. In each example, the tautological expression is shaded.- At that moment in time, the stars dimmed.
- This is a new innovation.
- The vote was totally unanimous.
- He was in a three-way love triangle.
Some Harder Examples of Tautology
Sometimes, tautologies are harder to spot.- The reason is because he left during the dinner.
- He was the reason why I left the job.
- In our assessment, we think he is alive.
- He placed the chicken on the so-called "clean" surface.
- His so-called "mates" left him in the tree.
Real-Life Examples of Tautology
- Many people's commute back and forth to work requires them to spend hours behind the wheel each day.
- That's one of the great advantages of age...you can throw temper tantrums, and nobody minds. (Author James Lee Burke)
- 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.)
Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer video to text? Here is a list of all our grammar videos.
Spotting tautology is useful for eliminating redundant words, which will not only reduce your word count 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.
Example 1:
- She died of a fatal dose of heroin.
Argument Against: She might have died from a non-fatal dose, i.e., one that wouldn't kill most people.
Example 2:
- Present a short summary.
Argument Against: Er, no they're not.
Example 3:
- Enter your PIN number in the ATM machine.
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.
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.
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