Image item
Hi First name / friend,
 
Welcome to The Weekly Wink: a new email series to help you become a better writer, one sassy tip at a time.
 
At the risk of sounding redundant — the topic of today's email — I'll jump right in to our writing tip of the week.
I want each and every one of you to stop using these 31 redundant phrases.
Redundancy is the enemy of clear, concise writing.
 
You want to get your point across in as few words as possible. One easy way to edit your copywriting is to cut unnecessary words.
 
Here are 31 redundant phrases to avoid in your writing (or speaking):
  1. Added bonus
  2. ATM machine*
  3. Basic necessities
  4. Blatantly obvious
  5. Both agree
  6. Brief moment / summary
  7. Collaborate / join together
  8. Current trend
  9. Each and every
  10. End result
  11. Exact same
  12. Final destination
  13. First and foremost
  14. First started
  15. Forever and ever
  16. General public
  17. Null and void
  18. One and the same
  19. Past history / experience
  20. Period of time
  21. Plan ahead
  22. Please RSVP**
  23. Repeat again
  24. Rise up**
  25. Safe haven
  26. Shorter / longer in length
  27. Sudden impulse
  28. Sum total
  29. The reason why
  30. Unexpected surprise
  31. Very unique
 
Bottom line: Don't use redundant phrases.
 
With a wink,
Sarah 😘
 
 
*ATM stands for “automated teller machine," so “machine” is repetitive.
**RSVP stands for “répondez s’il vous plaît,” which translates to “respond if you please.” 
***No offense to Hamilton.
 
 
Sarah Klongerbo
Copywriter, Designer, and Strategist for Creative Brands