## [clear communication: reduce redundancy](/writing-tips-plus/clear-communication-reduce-redundancy)
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“The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.”
—Thomas Jefferson
You can lower your word count by eliminating redundancy (useless repetition). This will help make your documents easy to read and understand.
Redundancy isn’t always easy to spot, though; many redundant expressions have become part of everyday language. For instance, a lot of people wouldn’t even bat an eye at “crisis situation,” “end result” or “safe haven,” even though “crisis,” “result” and “haven” have just as much meaning with half the words!
We’re committed to helping you never use two words when one will do. So, we’ve compiled some simple rules to point you in the direction of conciseness:
## On this page
- [Absolute values (very unique)](#absolute)
- [Acronym additions (ATM machine)](#acronym)
- [Cut “back”](#back)
- [Good as “new”](#new)
- [Too much “together”](#together)
## Absolute values
Do not modify adjectives that express an absolute state. Absolutes do not have different degrees of intensity.
Table 1: Examples of redundancy with absolutes
| Redundant | Revised |
|---|---|
| Saikat was **completely certain** he had been there before. | Saikat was **certain** he had been there before. |
| It is **absolutely essential** that you correct this error before it goes to print. | It is **essential** that you correct this error before it goes to print. |
| Janos’ interpretation of that piece was **very unique**. | Janos’ interpretation of that piece was **unique**. |
## Acronym additions
Do not spell out the final word of these common acronyms.
Examples of redundancy with acronyms
| Redundant | Revised |
|---|---|
| ABS system | ABS |
| ATM machine | ATM |
| HIV virus | HIV |
| ISBN number | ISBN |
| LCD display | LCD |
| PIN number | PIN |
| SIN number | SIN |
| UPC code | UPC |
## Cut “back”
Delete the word “back” after verbs where the “back” is implied, such as date, recall, refer, reflect, reply and revert.
Table 2: Examples of redundancy with “back”
| Redundant | Revised |
|---|---|
| Provide your name and e-mail address if you want our communications staff to **reply back** to you. | Provide your name and e-mail address if you want our communications staff to **reply** to you. |
| I **refer** you **back** to paragraph 2(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act. | I **refer** you to paragraph 2(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act. |
| Priya **reflected back** on the year and tried to pick out the best concert she had been to. | Priya **reflected** on the year and tried to pick out the best concert she had been to. |
## Good as “new”
Delete the adjective “new” when it modifies a noun that is implicitly new.
Table 3: Examples of redundancy with “new”
| Redundant | Revised |
|---|---|
| This initiative will promote **new innovation** and cleaner communities. | This initiative will promote **innovation** and cleaner communities. |
| In the early 1900s, Toronto’s Thomas F. Ryan received accolades for his **new invention**: five-pin bowling. | In the early 1900s, Toronto’s Thomas F. Ryan received accolades for his **invention**: five-pin bowling. |
| On the first day of training, **new recruits** watched a documentary on the evolving role of the warden in Canada’s national parks. | On the first day of training, **recruits** (or **new employees**) watched a documentary on the evolving role of the warden in Canada’s national parks. |
## Too much “together”
Delete the word “together” from phrases where the verb means something like *join* or *assemble*. The *together* is unnecessary because it is implied in the verb.
Table 4: Examples of redundancy with “together”
| Redundant | Revised |
|---|---|
| We assumed layoffs would be inevitable once our small firm **merged together** with a large corporation. | We assumed layoffs would be inevitable once our small firm **merged** with a large corporation. |
| Noora **compiled** the data **together** into one spreadsheet. | Noora **compiled** the data into one spreadsheet. |
| Parties tend to **rally together** around such issues. | Parties tend to **rally** around such issues. |
Follow these rules and you’ll eliminate some common redundancies in your writing.
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Un outil créé et mis en ligne par le Bureau de la traduction, Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada
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- [Clear communication](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A459#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)
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- [Redundancy](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B0%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A459&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A462#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)
## Liens connexes
- [Writing Tips Plus](/fr/writing-tips-plus/index-fra) (page d’accueil)
- [Outils d’aide à la rédaction](/fr/outils-tools/index-fra)
- [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator) (permet de trouver rapidement des conseils linguistiques)
- [TERMIUM Plus®](http://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-fra.html?lang=fra)