Grammar Lesson #8: Redundancies (Pleonasms)

Saying multiple words when one will do is hard to avoid when speaking but can definitely be avoided when writing. Let's save some trees and shorten these phrases:

reason why, reason is because >> reason is
in order to >> to
is located at >> at, is at
is currently >> is

These are words that come together but need to. This is where you use what I call the "duh" test or "as opposed to ...?" test to see if you can shorten these:

close proximity
free gift
future forecast
future planning
actively involved
past history
absolutely certain
added bonus
very unique

You get the idea. Now that you're aware, you'll see them everywhere.