Are you guilty of tautology? I was and didn’t know it. When I was told that I was committing tautology I actually had to look it up.
For example…
I went to see the professor personally. Personally is redundant and not needed. And so is the “not needed” in the previous sentence.
The dog chased his own tail. Own is the tautology.
The school bell rang at 3 p.m. in the afternoon. Afternoon isn’t needed.
Tautology reminds me of when you do things like… He nodded his head. I mean, what else would he nod? Or she waved her arms, or he sat down.
And speaking of waving arms, I know it is a thing, and there is nothing I can do about it but, I really don’t like the “rolling of eyes” thing. I get this weird image of eyes rolling across the floor. And she caught his eye is another one. I mean, he threw an eye at her? Good thing she caught it. What if the cat got it?
So, that’s my new word for the month. I’m trying to be extra observant in my writing and not do it. What about you? Is this something you do? And how do you feel about rolling eyes?
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I went to see the professor personally. Personally is redundant and not needed. And so is the “not needed” in the previous sentence.
The dog chased his own tail. Own is the tautology.
The school bell rang at 3 p.m. in the afternoon. Afternoon isn’t needed.
Tautology reminds me of when you do things like… He nodded his head. I mean, what else would he nod? Or she waved her arms, or he sat down.
And speaking of waving arms, I know it is a thing, and there is nothing I can do about it but, I really don’t like the “rolling of eyes” thing. I get this weird image of eyes rolling across the floor. And she caught his eye is another one. I mean, he threw an eye at her? Good thing she caught it. What if the cat got it?
So, that’s my new word for the month. I’m trying to be extra observant in my writing and not do it. What about you? Is this something you do? And how do you feel about rolling eyes?
Remember, sign up for the newsletter and get a free Halloween story and be kept up to date on book news and events. I promise not to spam or over email you.
