Literary notes about redundant (AI summary)
The word "redundant" is deployed in literature to underscore excess, repetitiveness, or unnecessary elaboration in language and ideas. Authors employ it to critique language when certain words or structures are surplus to requirements, as in noting a reflexive pronoun added without purpose [1] or describing surplus syllables that enhance a rhythmic effect [2]. At times it highlights a deliberate overabundance in a narrative—whether referring to an overly populous society [3] or detailing an unnecessary part of a story [4]—and in other cases it comments on stylistic choices that border on tautology or verbosity [5, 6, 7]. Even when used in technical or economic contexts, such as in discussions of superfluous capital or redundant elements in design [8, 9], the term serves as a critical marker that questions the balance between clarity and embellishment.
- The reflexive pronoun, so common with verbs of motion, is redundant.
— from Novelas Cortas by Pedro Antonio de Alarcón - [Footnote 1: More than that: the piece is an excellent example of the skilful use of redundant syllables.
— from Earthwork out of Tuscany: Being Impressions and Translations of Maurice Hewlett by Maurice Hewlett - Just so; they rid the country of the trop plein , and prevent a redundant population.
— from Economic Sophisms by Frédéric Bastiat - We come here upon a break in the hitherto redundant story.
— from The Makers of Modern Rome, in Four Books by Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant - Often simply redundant, used like character .
— from The Elements of Style by William Strunk - The method employed is inductive for the most part, yet it is neither tedious nor redundant.
— from A History of the Philippines by David P. Barrows - Often simply redundant, used from a mere habit of wordiness.
— from The Elements of Style by William Strunk - The trade to the East Indies, if it were altogether free, would probably absorb the greater part of this redundant capital.
— from An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith - 257.15 to work together via[ by] computer Redundant.
— from The Silicon Jungle by David H. Rothman
