Ylijäämäsana

Ylijäämäsana is a Finnish term that translates to "surplus word" or "redundant word." It refers to a word or phrase in a sentence that does not add any new meaning or information and can be removed without altering the core message. The use of ylijäämäsana is often considered a stylistic flaw, leading to wordiness and potentially obscuring the intended meaning. Identifying and eliminating these unnecessary words is a common practice in editing and proofreading to improve clarity and conciseness.

Examples of ylijäämäsana in English might include phrases like "completely finished" where "finished" already implies completion, or "advance planning" where "planning" inherently involves future action. In Finnish, similar redundancies can occur. For instance, in the phrase "täysin valmis" (completely finished), "täysin" (completely) is often ylijäämäsana because "valmis" (finished/ready) already conveys a state of completion. Another example could be "odotan nyt" (I am waiting now), where the "nyt" (now) is often implied by the present tense verb "odota" (wait).

The concept of ylijäämäsana is important for effective communication. By removing superfluous words, writers can make their sentences more direct, impactful, and easier for the reader to understand. This principle applies across various forms of writing, from academic papers and professional reports to everyday correspondence and creative works. The goal is to ensure every word serves a purpose and contributes meaningfully to the overall message.