Noun-Vocab Mastery Notes
1. Superfluous Expressions (Redundancy)
Definition: The use of more words than required to convey meaning. In formal English, these are considered “verbose” or “redundant.”
| Incorrect (Superfluous) | Correct (Precise) | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Good name | Name | A name is just a name. “Good name” is a literal translation. |
| Birthday date | Birthday | Birthday inherently implies a date. |
| Sum total | Total / Sum | Both words carry the same mathematical meaning. |
| Repeat again | Repeat | “Repeat” already means to do something again. |
| Return back | Return | “Return” means to come back. |
| Unexpected surprise | Surprise | A surprise is, by nature, unexpected. |
1. Redundancy (Superfluous)
The Golden Rule: If a word’s meaning is already inside another word, don’t use both!
| Avoid This | Use This | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Mutual friend | Common friend | “Mutual” is for feelings; “Common” is for shared people. |
| Reason why | The reason | “Reason” already implies “why.” |
| Final conclusion | Conclusion | Conclusions are always final. |
| Advance planning | Planning | You can’t plan for the past! |
| ATM machine | ATM | ‘M’ stands for Machine. |
2. Slang & Non-Dictionary Usage
Definition: Informal phrases common in speech but technically incorrect in formal or dictionary-standard English.
Quick Corrections:
- Copy: Give me your copy. → Give me your notebook.
- Aunty: Meet my aunty. → Meet my aunt.
- Cheater: You are a cheater. → You are a cheat.
- Pick-pocketer: He is a pick-pocketer. → He is a pickpocket.
- Half-pants: I bought half-pants. → I bought a pair of shorts.
3. Practice Examples
1. May I know your good name?
Correct: May I know your name? Explanation: In standard English, we simply ask for the “name.”
Correct: May I know your name? Explanation: In standard English, we simply ask for the “name.”
2. Please return back my notebook.
Correct: Please return my notebook. Explanation: “Return” and “Back” used together are redundant.
Correct: Please return my notebook. Explanation: “Return” and “Back” used together are redundant.
3. He is a notorious cheater.
Correct: He is a notorious cheat. Explanation: “Cheat” is the grammatically correct noun for the person.
Correct: He is a notorious cheat. Explanation: “Cheat” is the grammatically correct noun for the person.
4. The Britishers left India in 1947.
Correct: The British left India in 1947. Explanation: Use “The British” to refer to the people collectivey.
Correct: The British left India in 1947. Explanation: Use “The British” to refer to the people collectivey.
5. I need to buy a new copy for English.
Correct: I need to buy a new notebook for English. Explanation: “Copy” is a regionalism; “Notebook” is standard English.
Correct: I need to buy a new notebook for English. Explanation: “Copy” is a regionalism; “Notebook” is standard English.
6. It was an unexpected surprise for me.
Correct: It was a surprise for me. Explanation: Surprises are never expected!
Correct: It was a surprise for me. Explanation: Surprises are never expected!
7. Beware of the pick-pocketers in the bus.
Correct: Beware of the pickpockets in the bus. Explanation: The agent noun is “pickpocket,” not “pick-pocketer.”
Correct: Beware of the pickpockets in the bus. Explanation: The agent noun is “pickpocket,” not “pick-pocketer.”
8. I am wearing half-pants today.
Correct: I am wearing shorts today. Explanation: “Half-pants” is a literal translation; use “shorts.”
Correct: I am wearing shorts today. Explanation: “Half-pants” is a literal translation; use “shorts.”
9. We reached our final destination.
Correct: We reached our destination. Explanation: A destination is already the final point.
Correct: We reached our destination. Explanation: A destination is already the final point.
10. Can you repeat that again?
Correct: Can you repeat that? Explanation: “Repeat” includes the meaning of “again.”
Correct: Can you repeat that? Explanation: “Repeat” includes the meaning of “again.”