What Is Tautology? (with Examples)

Tautology

Easy 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.)

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?

• Armed gunman
• 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.
Argument Against: She might have died from a non-fatal dose, i.e., one that wouldn't kill most people.


• Present a short summary.
Argument For: Summaries are always short.
Argument Against: Er, no they're not.


• 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: 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.