Pleonasm receives a topic-specific treatment on this page.
Definition
Pleonasm uses more words than necessary.
Example
Advance planning is often pleonastic because planning normally occurs in advance.
Possible value
Some pleonasms add emphasis, idiom, or clarity.
Not always error
Many pleonasms are conventional.
Test
Ask whether the extra word changes tone or meaning.
Frequently asked questions
What does battologize mean?
To repeat words, phrases, or ideas excessively and tiresomely.
Is all repetition bad?
No. Deliberate repetition can create emphasis, rhythm, structure, or memory.
What is battology?
The noun for needless or wearisome repetition.
How do I fix repetitive writing?
Keep the strongest version and remove restatements that add nothing new.
Is battologize a real word?
Yes. It is an established but uncommon English verb.