• Browse Worksheets
    • Subject
    • Grade
    • Common Core
    • Theme
  • Learning Center
    • Reference
    • Q & A
    • Articles
    • Resources
  • Search
    • Lesson Templates
    • Graphic Helpers
    • Book Lists

Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

  • Subject
  • Grade
  • CCSS
  • Theme
  • Reference
  • Blog
  • Articles
  • Resources
  • Lesson Templates
  • Graphic Aids
  • Book Lists
  • Search

Tautology

What Is Tautology?

A tautology is a way to express something more than once, using different words. The term comes from the ancient Greek, meaning a formula that is true in every definition. Tautology entered the field of propositional logic in 1921, with the work of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.

Although tautologies are considered a weak rhetorical device that detracts from the original statement rather than enhancing it, people use them all the time. Every time you are offered an “added bonus” or promised some “new innovation,” you’ve been subjected to another tautological statement.

How Do You Identify Tautology in Writing?

Not all redundancy is superfluous. Sometimes repetition of key words and phrases adds to the rhetorical power of a speech or the beauty of poetic language. Tautology, on the other hand, diminishes the power of language by giving the promise of intellectual or creative enrichment when, in fact, it only adds more words. Take the following tautology by actor Brook Shields:

  • “Smoking can kill you, and if you’ve been killed, you’ve lost a very important part of your life.”

Rather than explain the consequence of death, Shields merely states the obvious: When you die, you’ve lost your life.

Examples of Tautology

Tautology Example 1. “If we do not succeed, we run the risk of failure.” — Dan Quayle

Tautology Example 2. Say it over again once more.

Tautology Example 3. They are giving out free gifts!

Tautology Example 4. “It’s deja vu all over again.” — Yogi Berra

Tautology Example 5. My first priority is to make sure the house is closed for the winter.

 

(View all literary devices)

  • Spelling Words
    • 1st Grade Spelling
    • 2nd Grade Spelling
    • 3rd Grade Spelling
    • 4th Grade Spelling
    • 5th Grade Spelling
    • High School Spelling
    • Spelling Patterns
    • Spelling Rules
  • Reading Skills
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Cause and Effect
    • Character Descriptions
    • Character Traits
    • Context Clues
    • Drawing Conclusions
    • Fact and Opinion
    • Figurative Language
    • Literature
    • Main Idea
    • Making Inferences
    • Point of View
    • Story Elements
    • Text Features Posters
  • Grammar
    • Parts of Speech
    • Mechanics
    • Parts of a Sentence
    • Word Usage
    • Punctuation
    • Sentence Structure
  • Vocabulary
    • Alphabet
    • Dictionary Skills
    • Dolch Sight Words
    • Fry Words
    • Phonetics
    • Homographs
    • Homophones
    • Prefixes
    • Proverbs and Adages
    • Root Words
    • Shades of Meaning
    • Suffixes
    • Synonyms Antonyms
  • Composition
    • Editing and Proofing
    • Handwriting
    • Cursive Alphabet
    • Lined Paper
    • Sentence Patterns
    • Topic Sentences
    • Transition Words
    • Essay Introductions
    • Writing Conclusions
    • Writing Prompts

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2008–2018 | k12reader.com | All Rights Reserved.
Free, Printable Reading Worksheets, Lessons and Activities for Classroom use and Home Schooling.

Free Printable Language Arts Worksheets and Resources