Say It Once: The Redundant Phrases Quiz

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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'

Answer Key

Question 1

C. Machine — because the M in ATM already stands for 'Machine'

ATM stands for 'Automated Teller Machine,' so saying 'ATM machine' is the same as saying 'Automated Teller Machine machine' — the word 'machine' appears twice.

Question 2

A. Number — because the N in PIN already stands for 'Number'

PIN stands for 'Personal Identification Number,' so saying 'PIN number' actually says 'Personal Identification Number number' — the word 'number' appears twice.

Question 3

D. Free — because a gift is already something given at no cost

A gift is, by definition, something given freely and without charge, so adding the word 'free' simply repeats what 'gift' already means.

Question 4

B. A place of safety or shelter

'Haven' already means a safe place or refuge, so the word 'safe' in 'safe haven' simply repeats what 'haven' already says.

Question 5

A. End — because a result is already a final outcome

A 'result' is by definition a final outcome, so adding 'end' in front of it simply repeats what 'result' already conveys.

Question 6

D. History already refers to events that have already occurred

'History' by definition deals with events from the past, so placing the word 'past' in front of it is entirely redundant.

Question 7

B. Advance — a warning is already something given before an event occurs

A warning is, by definition, a message given in advance of a danger or event, so adding the word 'advance' simply repeats what 'warning' already implies.

Question 8

C. Completely — to destroy something already means to ruin it entirely

'Destroyed' already means completely and utterly ruined, leaving nothing intact, so 'completely' adds no new meaning to the phrase.

Question 9

A. A surprise is, by definition, something you did not see coming

The very definition of a surprise is that it is unexpected, so adding the word 'unexpected' simply repeats what 'surprise' already says.

Question 10

D. Close — 'proximity' already means nearness or closeness

'Proximity' comes from Latin meaning 'nearness,' so it already carries the idea of being close, making the word 'close' entirely redundant.

Question 11

B. Back — 'revert' already means to return or go back to a former state

'Revert' comes from the Latin 'revertere,' meaning 'to turn back,' so saying 'revert back' is the same as saying 'turn back back.'

Question 12

C. A summary is, by definition, a shortened and condensed version of something longer

'Summary' already means a concise, condensed account of something, so calling it 'brief' simply repeats what the word 'summary' already conveys.

Question 13

A. Exact — 'same' already means without any difference whatsoever

'Same' already means without any difference at all, so adding 'exact' to emphasize that equality says nothing new.

Question 14

D. Something extra given on top of what is already expected

'Bonus' means something given in addition to what is expected, so adding the word 'added' simply repeats that idea of extra-ness.

Question 15

B. New — an innovation is, by definition, something newly introduced

'Innovation' means the introduction of something new or original, so calling it a 'new innovation' is the same as saying 'a newly new thing.'

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