Pleonasm

Pleonasm is a rhetorical device and linguistic phenomenon characterized by the use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning, often resulting in redundancy. This can occur in speech or writing where unnecessary modifiers or descriptors are included, detracting from clarity and conciseness. Examples include phrases like 'free gift' or 'ATM machine.'

Pleonasm meaning with examples

• When the manager said 'I saw it with my own eyes,' he utilized pleonasm to emphasize his observation. While it may strengthen the statement, it added unnecessary words that did not enhance the overall meaning, making it slightly clunky and repetitive in nature for the listening audience.
• The phrase 'advance planning' is a classic example of pleonasm. Planning inherently implies a sense of preparation ahead of time, so adding the adjective 'advance' simply reiterates the same idea. In writing, it is essential to avoid such redundancies to maintain clarity and precision in communication.
• In a spirited debate, Sarah exclaimed, 'I personally believe!' Here, her use of 'personally' created pleonasm, as belief inherently indicates a personal stance. Effective communication in argumentation benefits from conciseness; redundant phrases can weaken the impact of the message and divert the audience's attention.
• The advertisement touting 'new innovations' showcases pleonasm, as innovations are typically understood to be new developments. Advertisements should capture attention succinctly; therefore, using repetitive phrases can detract from their effectiveness and lead to confusion about the actual advancements being offered.