Redundancy Checker: Find Redundant Words and Phrases
Paste your text into this free redundancy checker to find phrases that say the same thing twice, like “end result” and “past history”. It checks for over 300 redundant phrases and shows the shorter word to use instead. No ads, no sign-up, and your text never leaves your browser.
Redundant phrases
Redundant phrases found
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Paste a draft to find phrases that say it twice, like “end result” and “free gift”.
Trim every redundancy as you write
Gorby Pro checks over 300 redundant phrases and marks each one right in your text:
Each one comes with a reason, and Fix trims it in one click.
Get Gorby ProOr try Gorby freeRedundancy basics
What is a redundant phrase?
A redundant phrase uses two words where one already carries the meaning. History is always in the past, a gift is always free, and a surprise is always unexpected, so “past history”, “free gift”, and “unexpected surprise” each say the same thing twice.
Redundancies are easy to miss because they sound natural. You hear them in conversation every day, and an extra word can feel like emphasis. On the page, though, each one adds length without adding meaning, and a handful make your writing feel padded.
Common redundancies
Common redundant phrases and what to write instead
These show up in emails, reports, and essays all the time. In most cases, you can simply drop the extra word.
| Redundant phrase | Use instead |
|---|---|
| End result A result always comes at the end | Result |
| Past history History is always in the past | History |
| Free gift A gift is free by definition | Gift |
| Basic fundamentals Fundamentals are already basic | Fundamentals |
| Close proximity Proximity already means close | Proximity |
| Unexpected surprise A surprise is always unexpected | Surprise |
| Future plans Plans are always about the future | Plans |
| Collaborate together You can only collaborate with others | Collaborate |
| Revert back To revert is to go back | Revert |
| Consensus of opinion A consensus is a shared opinion | Consensus |
| Each and every Both words say the same thing | Each, or every |
| ATM machine The M already stands for machine | ATM |
Beyond redundancies
Every redundancy, trimmed in one click
Paste your draft into Gorby and the Review panel lists every redundant phrase next to hard-to-read sentences, passive voice, clichés, and more. Fix each one without leaving your draft.
- Over 300 redundant phrases with Pro
- Five writing checks, free
- No sign-up to start
Patterns
Three kinds of redundancy
An adjective that repeats the noun
Fundamentals are basic and history is past, so the describing word can go.
The course covers the basic fundamentals of budgeting.
The course covers the fundamentals of budgeting.
A word that repeats the verb
Some verbs already include a direction or a partner, like revert or collaborate.
The teams will collaborate together and revert back if needed.
The teams will collaborate and revert if needed.
An acronym plus its last word
The last letter often stands for the word that follows it.
Enter your PIN number at the ATM machine.
Enter your PIN at the ATM.
Free checker vs Gorby Pro
Find them here. Fix them in Gorby.
The free checker tells you how many redundant phrases are in your text and names the common ones with a shorter version. Gorby Pro shows every one where it appears, explains why it is redundant, and fixes it in one click.
| Feature | Free checker | Gorby Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Checks your text against over 300 redundant phrases | ||
| Phrases listed by name | Up to 10 common ones | Every one |
| Shorter version for each phrase | ||
| Why each phrase is redundant | ||
| Fix each phrase in one click | ||
| Phrases underlined in your text | ||
| 10 other writing checks, like passive voice | ||
| Web app and Windows desktop app |
Common questions
Redundancy checker FAQ
What does the redundancy checker do?
It checks your text for redundant phrases, where one word already carries the meaning of another, like "end result" or "free gift". It counts every redundant phrase it finds and lists the most common ones with the shorter word to use instead.
How many redundant phrases does it check for?
Over 300, the same list Gorby Pro uses. The free checker lists up to 10 phrases by name, picked from about 150 of the most common ones. Any others are included in the total, and Gorby Pro shows every one.
Why are some phrases only shown in Gorby Pro?
The free checker is a quick check. It names up to 10 well-known redundant phrases and counts the rest, so you always know how many are in your text. Gorby Pro lists every one, underlines it in your draft, explains why it is redundant, and fixes it in one click.
What is a pleonasm?
Pleonasm is the term for using more words than you need to express an idea, like "past history" or "repeat again". Redundant phrases are the most common kind. Writers sometimes use one on purpose for emphasis, but most slip in by habit.
Is a redundant phrase ever okay?
Sometimes. A little repetition can add emphasis in speech or dialogue, and some fixed expressions are simply what readers expect. The problem is the ones you did not notice. Use the list to decide which ones do real work.
Is my text stored or sent anywhere?
No. The check runs in your browser, so your text never leaves your device. Nothing is saved after you close the page.
How do I fix every redundancy in my text?
Open your draft in Gorby with a Pro plan. The Review panel in the Write view lists every redundant phrase with the reason and a one-click fix, and Redundant Words in the Text Checks and Highlights view underlines each one in your text.
Keep editing
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