Concept 5

Resolve redundancy by removing repeated ideas or unnecessary restatement.

Core Idea

Say the idea once, clearly. If two words or phrases do the same job, the cleaner version is stronger.

Understanding

Rule: Say the idea once, clearly. If two words or phrases do the same job, the cleaner version is stronger.

  • ACT brevity questions are not about cutting every extra word. They are about removing repeated meaning.
  • Phrases such as "together as a group" or "every Friday on a weekly basis" repeat the same idea instead of adding information.
  • Keep the full meaning while removing overlap and heavy wording.

Step by Step

  1. Find words or phrases that repeat the same idea.
  2. Keep the clearest necessary wording.
  3. Check that the revision still says everything the sentence needs to say.
  4. Choose the shortest option only if it also keeps the meaning.

Misconceptions

  • Choosing the shortest answer even when it drops meaning.
  • Leaving repeated phrases because they sound emphatic.
  • Cutting useful detail along with the redundancy.
Question

Worked Example

Which choice most effectively removes redundancy from the sentence below?

"The student editors met together as a group each Friday to discuss the upcoming issue."

Select an answer to see the explanation