Absolutely can be eliminated from many phrases, such as “absolutely essential” and “absolutely unique”. (see also: Completely)
A number of isn’t even redundant, as it doesn’t say anything at all. You can often delete it entirely; otherwise you can substitute “some” or “other”. e,g,
America, like a number of countries, holds elections.
What’s lost if you just say
America holds elections
Or, if you must,
America, like other countries, holds elections.
Actually. Actually “actually” means something. It means “as an actual fact”. Sometimes, it’s needed. Usually, it’s not.
Assembled together – oh, how, in my youth, I wished I could assemble alone!
At the present time – you mean, now? “At the present time” is just filler, used to make something sound more profound than it is.
A.M. in the morning – yes, I’ve seen this. Perhaps the writer was joking.
Bald headed – Unless there is some other word after it, “bald” refers to head.
Blond haired – see bald headed
Cameo appearance – or, even worse, brief cameo appearance. Dictionary.com on “cameo”: a minor part played by a prominent performer in a single scene of a motion picture or a television play.
Close proximity – next time something is in distant proximity, let me know.
Completely is redundant in many phrases, such as completely destroyed, completely finished, completely surrounded and so on.
Disappear from sight (also disappear from view). This is in contrast with something that disappears from hearing.
Doctorate degree – a doctorate is a degree (also, Bachelor’s and Master’s).
During the course of – just chop off the last three words, please.
Each and every time I hear this phrase, I cringe.
Here’s a good one: Excess verbiage – it’s self-descriptive.
Few in number – Few would do.
Follow after – indeed.
Foot pedal – pedal is derived from the Latin for “foot”. A “hand pedal” is an oxymoron.
Future plans – oy vey. I once heard a flight attendant say “if your future plans should call for air travel..” My plans don’t call. Sometimes my wife calls. And future plans …. what to say? I guess my past plans are what called for the air travel that ended with this unfortunate phrase.
And that’s where this article ends. If you like it, I can write one on next part of the alphabet.
Reference:
- Annoying words and phrases voices.yahoo.com/annoying-words-phrases-10577207.html?cat=10
