Redundancy Exercise (684)

For each sentence, identify and omit redundant words or phrases.

Answers and Explanations

1.
Original: Greed is a natural human instinct—we are all selfish and greedy at heart, and for sound evolutionary reasons.
Correct : Greed is a human instinct—we are all selfish and greedy at heart, and for sound evolutionary reasons.

An instinct is a natural ability, desire, or tendency, so the word "natural" is redundant to a reference to instinct.

2.
Original: At least 600 homes were completely destroyed when the fire exploded Saturday afternoon.
Correct : At least 600 homes were destroyed when the fire exploded Saturday afternoon.

Destruction is by definition complete. A thing cannot be partially destroyed; rather, it would be described as damaged.

3.
Original: We’ve decided to take this period of time to reevaluate our marketing strategy.
Correct : We’ve decided to take this time to reevaluate our marketing strategy.

Time is a period of measurement, so "period" is superfluous.

4.
Original: The administration announced that it is responding to an emergency situation in the area.
Correct : The administration announced that it is responding to an emergency in the area.

"Situation" can be deleted, leaving "emergency" in use as a noun rather than an adjective.

5.
Original: In years past, she and her family had frequented the park regularly.
Correct : In years past, she and her family had frequented the park.

To frequent a place is to go there regularly, so "regularly" is redundant to "frequented."

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