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Pleonasm Exercise.

In the following exercise you will be presented with some sentences containing redundant words. You have to select which words are redundant.

1

Tim and Paul decided to return again for a second time to the old ancient house.

a) again
b) ancient or old
c) decided
d) for a second time
The following words are certainly redundant: again, ancient (or old). You could argue that 'for a second time' is also redundant. It would depend whether the fact that they are returning for a second time is important or not.
Check your answer

2

It is usually his custom to visit the houses of the affluent rich.

a) custom
b) usually
c) affluent or rich
d) visit
Redundant words are:

usually

affluent or rich

custom and visit are not redundant.
Check your answer

3

The group wanted to climb up to the very summit at the top of the mountain.

a) climb
b) up
c) at the top of the mountain
d) very
Redundant words here are:

up

at the top of the mountain

very.

Climb is essential and cannot be ommitted.

Check your answer

4

Thanks to their joint collaboration the archeologists found the handwritten manuscript in the destroyed ruins of the monastery.

a) archaeologists
b) joint
c) handwritten
d) destroyed
Redundant words are:

joint

handwritten

destroyed.

'Archaeologists' is important for the sense of the sentence.
Check your answer

5

The missiles are able to hit their intended targets accurately with precise precision.

a) intended
b) missiles
c) precise
d) accurately
Redundant words here are:

precise

accurately.

You could argue that 'intended' is also redundant as something is always intended to hit the target.
Check your answer

Copy and paste the redundant word or words in these sentences into the box.

6

The amount of money available was not sufficient enough.

Check your answer

7

The missile attack was an unexpected surprise.

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8

The blue vase was completely and totally unique.

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9

The wall was marred by a small, tiny speck of paint.

Check your answer

10

Last Thursday, The Chief of Police deviated from his regular, usual routine.

Check your answer

Find out more about pleonasms.

See a list of other grammar exercises.

Have a look at other aspects of developing a good writing style.