英语语法：8 Excessive Redundant Redundancies

Grammar Girl here.

Today's topic is redundant¹ acronyms³.

Some of you know that I'm a working writer. I've had some big deadlines over the last few weeks, so that's why there haven't been as many episodes out; but my work is always a huge inspiration for the show, and this week was no exception. I came across a great example of a redundant abbreviation.

I was writing about a scientific experiment, and I found myself writing the phrase PCR reaction; and then I realized that PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction, so I had just written polymerase chain reaction reaction, which is obviously redundant. Yet, I've heard people say it that way a lot: “They ran a PCR reaction,” or “After running the PCR reaction, transfer the amplicon,” or something like that. There's just something to the ear that sounds wrong about ending a sentence with that acronym², but it's the right way to do it.

So I started thinking about other abbreviations that lure⁴ people into redundancy. I've definitely heard people say PIN number, which is redundant because the n in PIN stands for number, so they've just said personal identification number number. HIV virus is another one that comes to mind. The v stands for virus.

I went searching and found a couple of websites that list a whole bunch of commonly used redundant acronyms and phrases, so I'll put a link to those in the transcript⁶ at quickanddirtytips.com.

The important thing to remember is that when you are using an acronym, take a second to think about what words it stands for so that you don't add redundant words at the end.

Poll Results

Next, the results are in from the Schoolhouse Rock survey. One hundred and twenty people took the poll and 45% said that Conjunction Junction⁷ was their favorite episode; 13% had no idea what I was talking about, and the rest of the responses were split pretty evenly between* the other choices.

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That's all. As always this is Grammar Girl, striving to be your friendly guide in the writing world. This week, I have a favor to ask. I'm trying to find a sponsor for this show, so that I can regularly put out four or five shows a week and put a dent⁵ in the backlog⁸ of listener questions that is increasing at a truly amazing rate. So, if you'd like to see more episodes, please take a minute to complete the listener survey on the Grammar Girl page of QuickAndDirtyTips.com. It's the blue box at the top of the sidebar that says Audience Survey. It's completely anonymous⁹, and it will allow me to show potential partners audience demographics, which will really help a lot.

1 redundant   

adj.多余的，过剩的；(食物)丰富的；被解雇的

参考例句：

• There are too many redundant words in this book.这本书里多余的词太多。
• Nearly all the redundant worker have been absorbed into other departments.几乎所有冗员，都已调往其他部门任职。

2 acronym   

n.首字母简略词，简称

参考例句：

• That's a mouthful of an acronym for a very simple technology.对于一项非常简单的技术来说，这是一个很绕口的缩写词。
• TSDF is an acronym for Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities.TSDF是处理，储存和处置设施的一个缩写。

3 acronyms   

n.首字母缩略词( acronym的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Scratch the subject of defence and acronyms, abbreviations, and buzzwords fly out. 话题触及国防，缩合字，缩写字和行话就满天飞。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Some acronyms as scientific terminology are used as a lexical item. 一些科学术语缩写用作词汇项目。 来自互联网

4 lure   

n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引

参考例句：

• Life in big cities is a lure for many country boys.大城市的生活吸引着许多乡下小伙子。
• He couldn't resist the lure of money.他不能抵制金钱的诱惑。

5 dent   

n.凹痕，凹坑；初步进展

参考例句：

• I don't know how it came about but I've got a dent in the rear of my car.我不知道是怎么回事，但我的汽车后部有了一个凹痕。
• That dent is not big enough to be worth hammering out.那个凹陷不大，用不着把它锤平。

6 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

7 junction   

n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站

参考例句：

• There's a bridge at the junction of the two rivers.两河的汇合处有座桥。
• You must give way when you come to this junction.你到了这个路口必须让路。

8 backlog   

n.积压未办之事

参考例句：

• It will take a month to clear the backlog of work.要花一个月的时间才能清理完积压的工作。
• Investment is needed to reduce the backlog of repairs.需要投资来減轻积压的维修工作。

9 anonymous   

adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的

参考例句：

• Sending anonymous letters is a cowardly act.寄匿名信是懦夫的行为。
• The author wishes to remain anonymous.作者希望姓名不公开。