Pleonasm: Definition and Examples

Language is usually plagued with rhetorical figures, On many occasions we do not realize that we use them both orally and in writing. Because of this, we want this lesson from a PROFESSOR to know one of the most used figures of speech in Spanish. Take note to know what a pleonasm, its definition and examples. Surely you have used it more than you imagine in your day to day. If you want to know what it is, keep reading.

We can place the pleonasm within the rhetorical figures, since it is an expression that aims to use of words with the same meaning or that are dispensable within the sentence to be able to emphasize a message. That is, it is a repetition in itself, these types of expressions are used to give greater relevance to the message by consciously adding words even if they are not necessary for the understanding of the same.

Therefore, a pleonasm uses, within the same expression, two or more words that have the same meaning to contribute communicative value to the phrase and emphasize the message that is being expressed. These words could be eliminated from the sentence without problems since they are dispensable when the receiver understands the message that you want to transmit.

Pleonasm or vice of language

On many occasions, due to the conscious repetition of words, the pleonasm can be confused with a language vice. In the case of the second, it is considered to be the case when the words that are repeated are not necessary and are applied in a sentence vulgar. Thus, we could say, for example, that a language vice is the use of the following sentence:

The two of them went to buy a new refrigerator.

In this case we see how both of them, it already means that the action is being carried out two people so the word two it would be a vice of language. This vice is considered as an unnecessary redundancy that does not add any expressiveness to the phrase that is being transmitted.

For its part, when we use a pleonasm as a rhetorical figure, we are emphasizing the message and reinforcing it so that it reaches the issuer. In the same way it is also used in literature to be able to create more elaborate texts and to capture the reader's attention. When this is done consciously, we would be talking about an intentional pleonasm. The pleonasm used correctly and when it is far from being a language vice can be a very useful tool when it comes to explaining ambiguities.

Now that you know the definition of pleonasm, you have surely realized that it is more common than you thought and that it is used both orally and in writing. Next and so that you can fix your knowledge correctly we are going to show you a series of examples of pleonasms that will help you to know how to distinguish them in any situation. We are going to place them within sentences so that you can locate them at a glance:

I saw it with my own eyes

In this first example we find the verb watch, the act of seeing, can only be made by the eyes, so in this case, adding to the sentence with my own eyes is a pleonasm. In this case, it has been added from intentional way to emphasize the prayer and capture the attention of the recipient of the message. Let's look at some more sentences in which pleonasms appear:

• Would you please shut your mouth?
• Tell your sister to go downstairs and bring me a can of fried tomato from the closet.
• Juan kicked the ball and it went flying through the air.
• I'll repeat it to you as many times as necessary.
• Get out immediately!
• I hope you like it. I have made this craft with my own hands.
• The president of the community sent him a written complaint in his own handwriting.
• The image of Michelangelo's David that can be seen in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence is an exact replica of the original.
• I really want to see that movie, it is based on real events and I am very curious to see with my own eyes how they deal with the subject.
• The washing machine program has just finished.
• Manuel, go inside, it's starting to get cold on the street.
• He began to wander aimlessly through the rooms of the house.
• As he was telling me I could see the smile on his lips.
• The doctor told him that he should drink more fluids.

You already know what a pleonasm is, its definition and examples. If you want to continue learning more about figures of speech or other uses of language, be sure to visit our sections where you can find additional information that will help you better understand the Spanish language and to improve in your studies.