TAUTOLOGY: "(logic) a statement that is necessarily true; Useless repetition"

A "tautology" is a rhetorical or logical expression in which the same idea is repeated using different words, often resulting in redundancy. It is a statement that conveys the same meaning twice in different words or a needless repetition of an idea.

Etymology: The term "tautology" has its origins in Greek. It comes from the Greek words "tauto," meaning "the same," and "logos," meaning "word" or "expression."

Here are 10 examples of common tautologies:

• Free gift: A gift, by definition, is something given without charge, so "free" is redundant.

• Close proximity: "Proximity" already implies nearness or closeness, making "close" redundant.

• End result: The result is what happens at the end, so "end" is unnecessary.

• Personal opinion: An opinion is inherently personal, so adding "personal" is redundant.

• Future plans: Plans are always about future actions, so specifying "future" is redundant.

• Hollow tube: A tube is inherently hollow, making "hollow" unnecessary.

• Unexpected surprise: A surprise is something that is unexpected, so "unexpected" is redundant.

• Exact same: "Exact" already implies sameness, so adding "same" is redundant.

• Final outcome: The outcome is what happens in the end, so "final" is redundant.

• Past history: History refers to the past, so "past" is unnecessary.

Sample Sentences:

1. The phrase "free gift" is a tautology, as a gift is inherently free.

2. Saying "I saw it with my own eyes" is a tautological expression emphasizing personal observation.

3. The politician's speech was filled with tautologies that didn't add substance to the message.

4. Using "new innovation" in advertising is a tautology, as innovation implies something new.

5. The professor pointed out the tautology in the student's essay, advising the use of more concise language.

Synonyms: redundancy, superfluity, duplication

"the statement 'he is brave or he is not brave' is a tautology"

"to say that something is 'adequate enough' is a tautology" 

clipped from en.wikipedia.org Examples of tautology The British supermarket Tesco sells a brand of lemon thyme which it describes as having an "aromatic aroma". "free gift" is tautologous because a gift, by definition, is something given without charge. The Yogi Berra-esque statement "If you don't get any better, you'll never improve" is another example. A very frequently used tautologous phrases are "PIN number"- the "N" stands for number Tautology in popular culture Comedian Alan King used to tell this story: His lawyer asked him if he had ever drawn up a will. Alan said "No". The lawyer, in shock and horror, said, "If you died without a will, you would die intestate!" Alan looked up the word and found that it means "without a will". "In other words, if I die without a will, then I'll die without a will. This legal pearl cost me $500!"