The difference between "redundant" and "superfluous".
My understanding: "redundant" implies repetition, while "superfluous" refers to either "repetition" or "extra" ?
Do you often use these words? Or are there other replacements?
Thank you!
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Answers · 12
1
There is a subtle difference between the two words in my opinion.
Redundant - something is redundant if the requirement or need for it no longer exists, so it is now unnecessary.
Superfluous - something is in excess of the original requirement, so it is now unnecessary but the requirement still exists.
0
Redundant is relatively common but superfluous is not. I think most people would just say something is "unnecessary" or "unimportant" in place of superfluous.
0
Very good question. Both mean "excessive" or "unnecessary", but in usage they are not always interchangeable.
For example, "He has been made redundant" - meaning he lost his job - cannot be changed to "He has been made superfluous".
0
redundant is used for something which is repeated unnecessarily while superfluous is used for things which are present more than enough.
0
More examples of the use of "superfluous" in daily life:
- That remark of his is rather superfluous.
- This pamphlet/report is badly written and full of superfluous detail.
- Delete superfluous words from your essay.
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