Say It Once: The Redundant Phrases Quiz

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Date:

Instructions: "Free gift," "past history," and "advance warning" all say the same thing twice — can you spot the hidden extra word lurking in these everyday phrases?

1.
In the phrase 'ATM machine,' which word is redundant?
A
ATM — the abbreviation itself is the unnecessary part
B
Automated — that meaning is already implied by the other letters
C
Machine — because the M in ATM already stands for 'Machine'
D
Teller — modern ATMs have no human tellers
2.
In the phrase 'PIN number,' which word is already contained within the abbreviation PIN?
A
Number — because the N in PIN already stands for 'Number'
B
Personal — because it overlaps with 'identification'
C
Identification — because PIN implies a known identity
D
Digit — a meaning hidden inside the abbreviation
3.
Which word in the phrase 'free gift' is redundant?
A
Gift — 'free' is the word that carries the core meaning
B
Both — neither word says enough on its own
C
Neither — 'free' is needed to reassure people there is no catch
D
Free — because a gift is already something given at no cost
4.
The phrase 'safe haven' is a pleonasm. What does the word 'haven' mean on its own?
A
A busy ocean harbor full of trading ships
B
A place of safety or shelter
C
A remote wilderness area set aside for wildlife
D
A fortified military outpost
5.
In the phrase 'end result,' which word is redundant?
A
End — because a result is already a final outcome
B
Result — because 'end' is the word that captures the conclusion
C
Neither — both words together express a definitive conclusion
D
Both — the phrase should simply be replaced with 'conclusion'
6.
Why is 'past history' an example of saying the same thing twice?
A
Historians study both past and future trends equally
B
The word 'past' in Latin means 'recorded,' which adds useful meaning
C
History books typically cover only the last one hundred years
D
History already refers to events that have already occurred
7.
Which word is redundant in the phrase 'advance warning'?
A
Warning — 'advance' carries the full meaning by itself
B
Advance — a warning is already something given before an event occurs
C
Neither — together they mean an unusually early warning
D
Both — the correct word to use is simply 'notice'
8.
In the phrase 'completely destroyed,' which word is unnecessary?
A
Destroyed — 'completely' is the stronger and more essential word
B
Both — a better phrase would simply be 'demolished'
C
Completely — to destroy something already means to ruin it entirely
D
Neither — 'completely' usefully distinguishes total destruction from partial damage
9.
What makes 'unexpected surprise' a pleonasm — a phrase that says the same thing twice?
A
A surprise is, by definition, something you did not see coming
B
The word 'unexpected' is an adverb and cannot correctly modify a noun
C
Surprises can sometimes be partially anticipated, so 'unexpected' is needed
D
The phrase is not actually a pleonasm — both words do add separate meaning
10.
In the phrase 'close proximity,' which word is redundant?
A
Proximity — 'close' is the word that carries the full meaning
B
Both — neither word is strong enough to stand alone
C
Neither — 'close proximity' means nearer than plain 'proximity' alone
D
Close — 'proximity' already means nearness or closeness
11.
In the phrase 'revert back,' which word is redundant?
A
Revert — 'back' is the more commonly understood of the two words
B
Back — 'revert' already means to return or go back to a former state
C
Neither — together they emphasize a complete and final return
D
Both — the correct word to use is simply 'return'
12.
Why is the phrase 'brief summary' considered a pleonasm?
A
Business summaries are required by convention to be at least one page long
B
The word 'summary' comes from Greek, meaning 'a brief oration'
C
A summary is, by definition, a shortened and condensed version of something longer
D
Only some summaries are brief — many can run to several pages
13.
In the phrase 'exact same,' which word is redundant?
A
Exact — 'same' already means without any difference whatsoever
B
Same — 'exact' is the more precise and necessary of the two words
C
Neither — 'exact same' conveys a stronger identity than 'same' alone
D
Both — the grammatically correct form is 'exactly alike'
14.
What does the word 'bonus' already mean on its own, making 'added bonus' redundant?
A
A financial reward paid at the end of the calendar year
B
An unexpected penalty or hidden charge on a bill
C
A prize awarded specifically for athletic achievement
D
Something extra given on top of what is already expected
15.
In the phrase 'new innovation,' which word is unnecessary?
A
Innovation — 'new' is the word that carries the full meaning
B
New — an innovation is, by definition, something newly introduced
C
Neither — 'new innovation' means more groundbreaking than a regular innovation
D
Both — the phrase should simply be replaced with 'improvement'

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