In one line
A redundancy is the use of extra words that repeat a meaning already expressed, and removing them makes writing concise and professional.
Explained simply
'Return back' is like saying 'come come'. 'Return' already means 'go back'. Redundant words add length without adding meaning, like packing two copies of the same shirt for a one-day trip.
Technically, redundancy (also pleonasm or tautology) is unnecessary repetition of meaning within a phrase. It violates the principle of conciseness in business writing and is a common error type in CAT/GMAT/TOEFL-level tests.
How it works
| Redundant | Concise | Why |
|---|---|---|
| return back, revert back | return, revert | 're-' already means back |
| repeat again | repeat | repeat means do again |
| free gift | gift | a gift is free |
| past history, past experience | history, experience | both are in the past |
| each and every | each (or every) | same meaning twice |
| final outcome, end result | outcome, result | already final |
| advance planning | planning | planning is in advance |
| cooperate together, combine together | cooperate, combine | implied togetherness |
| the reason why is because | the reason is that / because | double cause |
| ATM machine, PIN number | ATM, PIN | M = machine, N = number |
- Read each phrase and ask: does one word already contain the other's meaning?
- Delete the extra word.
- Re-read to ensure the meaning is unchanged.
Quick example
Original: 'Kindly revert back at the earliest. We will repeat the test again and share the final outcome of each and every sample.' Concise: 'Kindly reply at the earliest. We will repeat the test and share the outcome for every sample.' Note that 'revert' strictly means 'return to an earlier state'; in formal writing, 'reply' is clearer.
Common mistakes
- Using 'revert back' to mean 'reply'; both the redundancy and the meaning are questionable.
- Removing words that actually add meaning ('very' in 'very important' is weak but not strictly redundant).
- Keeping acronym redundancies like 'PIN number' and 'LCD display'.
How MU asks it
Asked as error-correction sentences or 'Rewrite removing redundancies' (sets of 3 to 5, 1 mark each), and as part of conciseness questions in writing. Rewrite the full sentence and, if asked, underline the redundant word with a brief reason.