{"id":543195,"date":"2023-08-04T10:47:40","date_gmt":"2023-08-04T08:47:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.nl\/?p=543195"},"modified":"2023-10-23T11:54:53","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T09:54:53","slug":"tautology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.com\/rhetoric\/tautology\/","title":{"rendered":"Tautology | Meaning, Definition & Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"What<\/a><\/div>\n
\n

In rhetoric, a tautology is the unnecessary repetition<\/a> of an idea using different words (e.g., \u201ca free gift\u201d).<\/p>\n

Tautologies are often considered to be a stylistic fault that should be avoided. However, they can also be used effectively as a rhetorical device or figure of speech.<\/p>\n

The term may also refer to a logical tautology: a statement that is true in all circumstances because it includes all possibilities (e.g., \u201cit will snow tomorrow or it will not\u201d).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Example: Rhetorical tautologies<\/figcaption>Mark is an unmarried bachelor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In my opinion<\/strong>, I think<\/strong> it\u2019s a good book.<\/p>\n

The party was an unexpected surprise<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The boat will depreciate in value<\/strong>.<\/figure>\n

Note<\/figcaption>The term \u201ctautology\u201d is often used interchangeably with \u201cpleonasm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some sources try to make a distinction between the two: pleonasms repeat the inherent quality of a thing but may involve different parts of speech<\/a> (e.g., \u201cburning fire\u201d), while tautologies involve synonyms (e.g., multiple adjectives with the same meaning: \u201ca big, huge truck\u201d). However, this distinction is rarely followed in practice.<\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

Types of tautology<\/h2>\n

There are two main types of tautology. One is relevant in the context of rhetoric, the other in the context of formal logic.<\/p>\n

Rhetorical tautology<\/h3>\n

A rhetorical tautology is the redundant<\/a> restatement of an idea of concept.<\/p>\n

Rhetorical tautologies occur when additional words are used to convey a meaning that is already expressed or implied. For example, the phrase \u201ca new innovation\u201d is a tautology because \u201cinnovations\u201d are by definition \u201cnew.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rhetorical tautologies are usually perceived as bad style because they are needlessly repetitive. However, they can also be used to effectively emphasize a particular aspect of an idea (for this reason, they\u2019re often used in political speeches and advertising slogans).<\/p>\n

Examples: Rhetorical tautologies<\/figcaption>Call to receive your free gift<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Have you made any future plans<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

The police apprehended the armed gunman<\/strong>.<\/figure>\n

Logical tautology<\/h3>\n

A logical tautology is a proposition or statement that is always true because it excludes no logical possibility.<\/p>\n

Logical tautologies don\u2019t express any meaningful claim about the world. They usually take the form of \u201ceither\/or\u201d statements (e.g., \u201cIt will happen or it won\u2019t\u201d).<\/p>\n

Some logical tautologies involve circular reasoning<\/a>, meaning they support their initial claim by referring back to the claim again. In these instances, the premise is simply repeated (e.g., \u201cblue is blue\u201d).<\/p>\n

Examples: Logical tautologies<\/figcaption>It is<\/strong> or it isn\u2019t<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re coming<\/strong> or you\u2019re not<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The book is popular<\/strong> because people like it<\/strong>.<\/figure>\n

While logical tautologies are typically logically redundant, they\u2019re sometimes used in a non-literal sense (often to express inevitability).<\/p>\n

Examples: Non-literal logical tautologies<\/figcaption>Boys will be boys. [i.e., mischievous behavior is typical of boys]<\/p>\n

It is what it is. [i.e., the situation can\u2019t be changed and must be accepted]<\/figure>\n

Should you avoid using tautologies?<\/h2>\n

Using tautologies is normally considered a fault of style and should be avoided in formal contexts like academic writing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tautologies often occur when a synonym (or a word that conveys a similar idea) is included in a sentence. In these instances, you can remove the superfluous word to make your writing more concise.<\/p>\n

Examples: Fixing tautologous statements<\/figcaption>