Tautology is a way to express something by repeating or saying it in a different way. This can be used for emphasis, to convey something important, or to add literary beauty to a text. However, many times its use is inadvertent and is just a needless repetition. In logic, it is a statement that consists of two facts, one which will be true in any instance.
Tautology in Sentences
- I went there personally.
- The car cost $20,000 dollars.
- 4g cell phones are a new innovation.
- The evening sunset was beautiful.
- I need a new hot water heater.
- Charlie told his mom he made it for her with his own hands.
- My first priority is to lose weight.
- There is a lot of frozen ice on the road.
- I know it’s true because I heard it with my own ears.
- She always over-exaggerates.
- In Rome, we saw dilapidated ruins.
- That is totally and completely ridiculous.
- Let’s order a hoagie sandwich.
- Alice started her presentation with a short summary.
- He is always making predictions about the future.
- The school was in close proximity to the explosion.
- I like chocolate, like candy, cakes, pudding, and etc.
- The Gobi is a very dry desert.
- In my opinion, I think he is wrong.
- The storm hit at 2 p.m. in the afternoon.
- The students will take turns, one after the other.
- Having a drug test is a necessary requirement for the job.
- They hiked to the summit at the top of the mountain.
- I’m sorry to heat about your sad misfortune.
- She was a dark-haired brunette.
- No worries, it’s all well and good.
- The hotel room wasn’t great but it was adequate enough.
- I loved reading Sam’s autobiography of his own life.
Tautology in Acronyms
Sometimes there is tautology with our use of acronyms, causing words to be repeated. Example: ATM is an Automated Teller Machine, so saying “machine” again is redundant. Other examples are:
- CD-ROM disc
- DVD disk
- GPS system
- HIV virus
- ISBN number
- PIN number
- Please R.S.V.P. (Please is already in the French phrase for this abbreviation)
- RAM memory
- RAS syndrome
- SARS syndrome
- UPC code
- VIN number
Logic Tautology
- Either it will rain tomorrow or it won’t rain.
- Bill will win the election or he will not win the election.
- She is brave or she is not brave.
- I will get in trouble or not get in trouble.
- Mary will pitch a no hitter or she won't pitch a no hitter.
Tautology in Song
- “I want to live while I am alive” - Bon Jovi
- “There's nothing you can do that can't be done. There's nothing you can sing that can't be sung” - The Beatles
- “Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be” - Jay Livingston and Ray Evans
- “Only the lucky ones... get lucky” - Loverboy
- “Shout it out loud!” - Kiss
Tautology in Advertising
- Added Bonus!
- McDonald's new Zesty Mango McMini is really zesty.
- Please prepay in advance
- The store is giving away free tickets!
- The World's Greatest Spokesman in the World!
With this variety of tautology examples, you can see that different kinds of statements can easily say the same thing twice.
Do you have a good example to share? Add your example here.
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By YourDictionary
Tautology is a way to express something by repeating or saying it in a different way. This can be used for emphasis, to convey something important, or to add literary beauty to a text. However, many times its use is inadvertent and is just a needless repetition. In logic, it is a statement that consists of two facts, one which will be true in any instance.
