pleonazmus

Pleonasm is a linguistic phenomenon in which more words or morphemes are used than are strictly necessary to convey meaning. It can be unintentional, arising from habit or error, or deliberate, used for emphasis, rhythm, or stylistic effect. In many cases, pleonastic expressions restate an aspect already implied by another element of the sentence, creating redundancy.

Etymology: The term derives from the Greek pleonasmos, from pleon meaning “more” and a suffix referring to excess. The concept has been discussed since classical rhetoric and remains a standard term in modern linguistics and grammar.

Common examples include free gift, true fact, PIN number, end result, and basic fundamentals. Some phrases arise from cross-language redundancy, such as advance planning or revert back. Pleonasm can also appear in constructions like “empty space” or “new innovation,” where the additional word adds no essential meaning.

Pleonasm versus tautology: While related, pleonasm often refers to unnecessary repetition within a larger expression, whereas tautology is a logically true or trivially repetitive statement. The terms are sometimes used inconsistently, and some writers apply pleonasm to a broad range of redundant phrasing. In formal writing, pleonasms are typically discouraged for conciseness, but they can be employed for emphasis, rhythm, or rhetorical effect in poetry and oratory.