Letting words mean what they mean…

In a previous post, I wrote about using words more precisely than we often do. Specifically, I pointed out redundant usages.

Today I would like to rant about a few other phrases that have come my way recently. I call them word re-inforcers. They are like redundant words but are focused on making words mean the same thing but more acutely.

Examples of word re-inforcers

1. Amazon recently offered me a “free gift.” Awfully good of them to make gifts free. (Where did that sort of linguistic foolishness come from—free gift indeed!)
2. There was also a case I came across of “first introduction.” I wish people would skip the first introductions and go immediately into the second introductions. This is in the same category as “first started.”
3. “Most well-known” is somehow different from “well-known.” This one is problematic for me. It doesn’t feel right but it doesn’t feel entirely wrong either. I believe that people—myself included—have heard so much sloppy language that they no longer believe in the power of words to mean what they mean and now have to reinforce most words. But, “well-known” continues to be better known than known and probably does not need the re-inforcer of “most.” If you are writing a sentence in which there are a number of well-known components, you might write “best known.” What do you think about “most well known?”
4. “Previously” in “had previously done” is not necessary as we already have the meaning in the verb “had done.”
5. And, I love “historical antecedent” or “past antecedent” as so many antecedents occur in the future! This is in the same category as “future predictions.” (Why do so few people try to predict what happened in the past! It’s an interesting concept.)

And what are your verbal pet peeves? Do you use word re-inforcers?

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