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Avoiding Redundancy

In English subject testing, redundancy refers to repeated information that is no longer needed.

(1) the additional information may distract or offend the reader, and (2) there may be a confusing distance between the subject and the word the verb modifies. So we want to avoid redundancy. Be as clear as possible.

Redundancy can take the form of repeated adjectives, as in the following sentence.

I love looking at clear, transparent, cloudless, glassy blue skies.

4 out of 5 adjectives have the same meaning. The sky is clear. Removing redundancies makes a sentence more powerful.

I love looking at the clear blue sky. We want to keep the adjective "blue" as we add new information about the sky. The sky is not only clear, but also blue.

A really useful ACT tip is to pick the shortest sentence especially when you are low on time and don’t have enough time to read and answer.

Ex:

1.

The accident happened last year, having occurred on a cold and stormy night.
The accident happened last year and occurred on a cold and stormy night.
The accident happened last year on a cold and stormy night.
The accident happened last year, having occurred, on a cold and stormy night.

Solution: The accident happened last year on a cold and stormy night.

2.

I think maybe I might go with friends to the movie theater.
I might go with friends to the movie theater.
Maybe I might go with friends to the movie theater.
I think, maybe, I might go with friends to the movie theater.

Solution: I might go with friends to the movie theater.

3.

In a few months, after waiting a while, I will move out of my parents’ house and get my own place, in due course.
In a few months, after waiting a while, I will move out of my parents’ house.
In a few months, I will move out of my parents’ house and get my own place.
After waiting a while, I will move out of my parents’ house and get my own place, in due time after a few months..

Solution: In a few months, I will move out of my parents’ house and get my own place.

4.

Nikola Tesla is widely recognized for his working and efforts in the field of electricity.
Nikola Tesla is widely recognized for his work, which involved efforts in the field of electricity.
Nikola Tesla is widely recognized for his work, that is, efforts in the field of electricity.
Nikola Tesla is widely recognized for his efforts in the field of electricity.

Solution: Nikola Tesla is widely recognized for his efforts in the field of electricity.

5.

One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin happened upon an old, abandoned house.
One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin accidentally stumbled up against an old, abandoned house.
One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin unintentionally without planning discovered an old, abandoned house.
One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin unintentionally happened upon an old, abandoned house.

Solution: One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin happened upon an old, abandoned house.

A

Avoiding Redundancy

In English subject testing, redundancy refers to repeated information that is no longer needed.

(1) the additional information may distract or offend the reader, and (2) there may be a confusing distance between the subject and the word the verb modifies. So we want to avoid redundancy. Be as clear as possible.

Redundancy can take the form of repeated adjectives, as in the following sentence.

I love looking at clear, transparent, cloudless, glassy blue skies.

4 out of 5 adjectives have the same meaning. The sky is clear. Removing redundancies makes a sentence more powerful.

I love looking at the clear blue sky. We want to keep the adjective "blue" as we add new information about the sky. The sky is not only clear, but also blue.

A really useful ACT tip is to pick the shortest sentence especially when you are low on time and don’t have enough time to read and answer.

Ex:

1.

The accident happened last year, having occurred on a cold and stormy night.
The accident happened last year and occurred on a cold and stormy night.
The accident happened last year on a cold and stormy night.
The accident happened last year, having occurred, on a cold and stormy night.

Solution: The accident happened last year on a cold and stormy night.

2.

I think maybe I might go with friends to the movie theater.
I might go with friends to the movie theater.
Maybe I might go with friends to the movie theater.
I think, maybe, I might go with friends to the movie theater.

Solution: I might go with friends to the movie theater.

3.

In a few months, after waiting a while, I will move out of my parents’ house and get my own place, in due course.
In a few months, after waiting a while, I will move out of my parents’ house.
In a few months, I will move out of my parents’ house and get my own place.
After waiting a while, I will move out of my parents’ house and get my own place, in due time after a few months..

Solution: In a few months, I will move out of my parents’ house and get my own place.

4.

Nikola Tesla is widely recognized for his working and efforts in the field of electricity.
Nikola Tesla is widely recognized for his work, which involved efforts in the field of electricity.
Nikola Tesla is widely recognized for his work, that is, efforts in the field of electricity.
Nikola Tesla is widely recognized for his efforts in the field of electricity.

Solution: Nikola Tesla is widely recognized for his efforts in the field of electricity.

5.

One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin happened upon an old, abandoned house.
One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin accidentally stumbled up against an old, abandoned house.
One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin unintentionally without planning discovered an old, abandoned house.
One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin unintentionally happened upon an old, abandoned house.

Solution: One day, while playing in the woods, my cousin happened upon an old, abandoned house.