AMA Manual of Style - Stacy L. Christiansen, Cheryl Iverson 2020
Redundant, Expendable, and Incomparable Words and Phrases
Correct and Preferred Usage
This parrot is no more. It has ceased to be. It’s expired and gone to meet its maker. This is a late parrot. It’s a stiff. Bereft of life, it rests in peace. If you hadn’t nailed it to the perch, it would be pushing up the daisies. It’s rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible. This is an ex-parrot.
John Cleese, “Monty Python’s Flying Circus”20
11.2.1 Redundant Words.
A redundancy is a term or phrase that unnecessarily repeats words or meanings. Below are some common redundancies that can usually be avoided (redundant words are italicized):
actual fact |
combine together |
adequate enough |
completely full [empty] |
added bonus |
consensus of opinion |
advance planning |
contemporaneous in age |
aggregate together |
continue on |
blatantly obvious |
could potentially |
blend together |
count [divide] up |
brief in duration |
covered over |
browse through |
current status quo |
close proximity to |
distinguishing the difference |
collaborate together |
each individual person |
eliminate altogether |
old adage |
empty out |
orbit around |
end result |
outward appearances |
enter into (exception: enter into a contract) |
out of [eg, 2 out of 12, but: out of bounds, out of place, out of the question, out of the jurisdiction, out of the woods] |
equally as well as |
|
estimated at about |
outside of |
favorably disposed |
oval [square, round, lenticular] in shape |
fellow colleagues |
own personal view |
fewer in number |
past history (experience) |
filled to capacity |
period of time, time period, point in time |
final destination |
personal friend |
final outcome |
pervade throughout |
first discovered |
plan ahead |
first and foremost |
plan in advance |
first initiated |
precedes in time |
free gift |
predict in advance |
future plans |
prior experience |
fuse together |
reassessed again |
future plans |
red in color |
general rule |
revert back |
herein we describe |
rough [smooth] in texture |
historic milestone |
skin rash |
interact with each other |
software programs |
interval of time |
soft [firm] in consistency |
join together |
sour [sweet, bitter] tasting |
joint cooperation |
split up |
large [small, bulky] in size |
similar results were obtained also by |
lift up |
still continues |
major breakthrough |
sum total |
merge (mix) together |
tender to the touch |
moment in time |
true fact |
near to |
12 noon [midnight] |
2 halves |
uniformly consistent |
whether or not [unless the intent is to give equal emphasis to the alternative] |
younger [older] than 50 years of age |
11.2.2 Expendable Words and Circumlocution.
Some words and phrases can usually be omitted without affecting meaning, and omitting them often improves the readability of a sentence:
as already stated |
it was demonstrated that |
in order to |
it was found that |
in other words |
needless to say |
it goes without saying |
take steps to |
it is important [interesting] to note |
the fact that |
it may be said that |
the field of |
it stands to reason that |
to be sure |
Quite, very, and rather are often overused and misused and can be deleted in many instances (see 11.1, Correct and Preferred Usage, Correct and Preferred Usage of Common Words and Phrases).
Avoid roundabout and wordy expressions:
Avoid |
Better |
an appreciable number of |
many, several |
an increased [decreased] number of |
more [fewer] |
as the result of |
because |
at this [that] point in time |
now [then] |
carry out |
perform, conduct |
commented to the effect that |
said, stated |
concerning the matter of |
about |
despite the fact that |
although |
draws to a close |
ends |
due to the fact that |
because, due to |
during the time that |
while |
fall off |
decline, decrease |
file a lawsuit against |
sue |
has the opportunity to |
can |
have an effect [impact] on |
affect |
in a situation in which |
if |
in close proximity to |
near |
in light of the fact that |
because |
in regard to, with regard to |
about, regarding |
in terms of |
in, of, for |
in the event that |
if |
in the vicinity of |
near |
in those areas where |
where |
look after |
watch, care for |
the majority of |
most |
produce an inhibitory effect that |
inhibit |
with the exception of |
except |
11.2.3 Incomparable Words.
Some words are regarded as “absolute” adjectives, those not possessing a comparative or superlative form (eg, young, younger, youngest or loud, louder, loudest). Words considered incomparable that need no superlative or comparative modifier are listed below:
absolute |
omnipotent |
ambiguous |
original |
complete [but: almost or nearly complete] |
preeminent |
comprehensive |
perfect [but: almost or nearly perfect] |
entire |
preferable |
equal |
pregnant |
eternal |
supreme |
expert |
total |
fatal [but: almost or nearly fatal] |
ultimate |
final |
unique |
full [but: half full, nearly full] |
unanimous [but: almost or nearly unanimous] |
infinite |
Note: In general, superlatives should be avoided in scientific writing.