Have you come across the term “tautology” lately and wondered what it is?
Or are you on a mission to improve your writing and want to learn how to avoid it?
As a freelance writer, I’m here for you!
So here’s the deal: many famous phrases are tautologies. And once you know, they can drive you crazy!
To tell you the honest truth…
They are gives for free tickets…
But knowing them means that at least you won’t drive your readers crazy.
In this post, I’m going to look at a bunch of examples of tautology so you can spot them a mile away.
But first, let’s look at the definition.
What is tautology?
In literary terms, a tautology, it’s just repeating itself.
You can repeat yourself in many ways (ask my mom), but there are a few defined types of tautology.
In grammarit repeats an idea, statement or word but uses different words or synonyms.
In Rhetoric and Logictautology is a bit like a circular argument. Something that is unconditionally true according to logic.
Let’s take a closer look at various tautologies with some examples.
Verbal tautology
Verbal tautology a grammatical redundancy — you repeat the same idea, but express it differently.
For example, asking customers to:
“Pay in advance.”
They can pay in advance or pay in advance. But no need to say the same thing twice!
Or this:
“I went to see him in person.“
You can add “personally” for emphasis. But it doesn’t add anything. If I went to see him, probably in person.
As we shall see later, a verbal tautology can can be used to add emphasis and rhythm to your writing.
However, a clear, concise sentence is often the better choice.
Logical Tautology
A logical tautology is a statement that is always true—it covers all scenarios.
For example:
“You too he has blue eyes or you he doesn’t have blue eyes.”
“You courageous or you not brave.”
“I will get into trouble or i will don’t get into trouble.”
These statements are always true, because when you put both halves of the sentence together, there is no way it can happen. no to be true. Therefore, it feels redundant, like a verbal tautology.
10 examples of tautologies you didn’t even know you were using
Now that we’ve seen what the dictionary says, let’s take a closer look at some of the tautologies you hear in everyday conversation.
Your own language is probably full of them.
Do you know your favorite animals?
Examples of logical tautology
Although these logical statements may be popular colloquial idiomsthey do not add meaning or deeper clarity to your writing.
“This is it.“
This is a logical tautology because it uses the repetition of “.it is“in a simple statement that is universally true about everything”heBut repeating it doesn’t add any information.
As Nina Simone (and many others) said:
You must:
“Do what you have to do.”
This is the same kind of logical tautology.
But what should you do?! Meaning is implied in context. What you are really saying is that you have no choice in the matter.
Logical tautologies are often used more deliberately than verbal tautologies.
Examples of verbal tautology
We use many verbal tautologies in our local dialects and speech patterns. Many of us use tautological resources to add emphasis, rhythm, variety, or even a local splash of color to an expression.
“I in person I made this card for you with my own hands.”
“The the watery soil was moist and covered with mud.”
“Teacher helped according to me helps I’m doing the job.”
“Enjoy you added bonus“
“Be careful, there are many frozen ice on the way!”
“He always does exaggerates too much.”
“They went on foot peak too mountain top.”
“The hotel room wasn’t great, but it was what it was is quite adequate.”
If you live in a community where these tautologies are common in local conversation, be sure to join in and have fun!
Choose your words carefully when you write. This will create clear and concise writing.
5 examples of tautology that will crack a smile
Some tautologies are so obvious that they are likely to tickle the corners of your mouth. You might even bless us with a genuine smile or teenage eyes!
We have selected a few popular examples for your enjoyment:
“A person is a personno matter how small”
— Horton hears Kim, Dr. Suess
“Discovered by Pooh, Pooh found it.”
— Winnie the PoohAA Milne
“They will just have to.” scores more points than the other team for win the game.”
– John Madden
“Our nation should do this come together for to unite.”
— George W. Bush
“That’s it déjà vu all of them again.”
– Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra’s famous quote is one of my favorites.
It’s just not déjà vu (Already appeared in French). It’s just not deja vu all over again.
this déjà vu all of them again.
It’s killing me.
Which one do you like more?
If they are so bad, how does Shakespeare use tautologies?
The words of the great masters have delighted us for centuries. They used it a lot literary devices to express their opinions.
One of them is tautology.
It can be especially effective in children’s literature, poetry and song lyrics.
In dialogue, we can also use tautologies as a tool to develop a character’s thoughts and personality.
Here’s the thing does a point of tautology (see?) – for example, to fill in words emotional impactor make an idea memorable.
3 Great Examples of Tautology in Literature
We have discussed tautologies in favor first not using them.
Now you will see three skillful uses of rhythm and additive tautology hit the post.
“As for me, if I am merciless from my children I am merciless.”
— Genesis 43:14
This epic biblical tautology brings home Jacob’s desperate situation.
If he stays, Egypt’s prime minister keeps his beloved young son in prison.
If he went to Egypt with his other sons, he would put the whole family at risk.
This is the climax of the story.
In ancient Hebrew culture, there was nothing worse than being deprived of your children. Thus, the author uses tautology to increase the effect of this statement.
“to be or not to bethat’s the question.”
— HamletWilliam Shakespeare
This famous logical tautology finds Hamlet contemplating life and death.
More than 400 years later, these words remain a symbol of English literature.
Shakespeare was a master at conveying big ideas, expressing a dramatic mood in every scene, and he was able to express it all. iambic pentameter!
“I willing tell you i who wants tell you i is waiting tell you.”
— PygmalionGeorge Bernard Shaw
Shaw used a tautology in this line to give Alfred Doolittle a poetic air – impressing Professor Henry Higgins with his natural poetic gift.
Was Higgins impressed? Well, that will be up to the audience to decide.
Why music is tautological anarchy
Poetic forms follow different rules for creating rhyme and rhythm. So poets and lyricists can be more free with rules than other writers.
Using song lyrics filler words to match the structure of the song. For example:
“I love you. I really do.”
It sounds redundant in other types of writing, but it’s perfect in a song.
Let’s look at some examples.
Kiss’ hit song “Shout it Out Loud” uses a verbal tautology in the chorus.
“Screamscream scream out loud“
– Kiss
“Shout out loud” is a verbal tautology because if you scream if anything, you should always use a loud voice. So “out loud” it’s over.
In the context of the song, this “unnecessary” repetition makes for a fun, pulse-pounding chorus, and Kiss fans love it!
There are tons of examples of tautology in Beatles songs. “All You Need Is Love” is full of logical tautologies like:
“There is you can’t do anything that cannot be done. there is you can’t read anything that cannot be read”
– The Beatles
These are logical tautologies because they express an idea in a statement that is always true.
The song “Qué será, será” uses the same technique, but takes it up a notch by using different language to repeat the idea.
“This will be will be. No matter what will be will be.”
– Livingston and Evans
If you’re writing poetry or song lyrics, use tautologies to make your words stronger rather than weaker.
What Examples of Tautology Do You Love to Hate?
You see, a tautology can sound more like a broken record than an emphatic literary device.
How literary masters have used tautologies to make a meaningful impact on their audience.
So here is the result:
- Write clear, concise sentences.
- In general, remove tautologies from your writing.
- Only use tautology when it has more impact on your words.
Whatever you write, use the strongest words you can and try to use the power of tautology wisely.
This article was originally published on December 21, 2022. It has been updated for clarity and comprehensiveness.
