A further foray into fascinating fixations with unwarranted words,
repetitions and similar scandalous sins of syntax. If guilty, you’re sentenced
to serious sessions roasting over the flames of Fowler’s Modern English Usage!
Actual fact: A fact
is something real, something actual, as opposed to something imaginary. ‘Actual’ is an unnecessary spare part.
Came at a time when: If
something happens when it happens, it occurs at the time of occurrence. The
phrase ‘at a time’ is tautology and should be rejected.
Direct confrontation:
When you confront something, you tackle it head-on, and you can’t get any more
direct than that, so cut it out.
Enter in: To enter
is to go in. Chuck out ‘in’.
First began: The
beginning is when something first comes to be. ‘First’ is as extraneous as a
third foot (unless you’re a tripod).
Major breakthrough:
Interesting, this one. In most cases, a breakthrough suggests significant
progress. ‘Major’ isn’t
exactly redundant, but the meaning of ‘breakthrough’ is implicit. However, it
is possible to have a ‘minor breakthrough’, where such an event is a useful
step on a journey toward a specific goal.
Postpone until later:
You postpone an event by putting it off until later. Enough said.
Repeat again: If you
repeat an action or a piece of text, you do it again. No further explanation
required.
Since the time when: Since indicates that time has
passed. ‘The time when’ just adds extra words, contributing nothing to the
meaning.
Unexpected surprise:
Surprise, surprise! Ooh, that was unexpected. Need I say more?
Another rant expressed.
But there will be more!
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