Chapter 5 Redundancies
179
"reaggravated," reason "why"
Today's lesson on redundancies begins with a letter from a
CNN/Sports Illustrated anchor:
"Could you please do one of our top editors a favor and remind
all that 'reaggravated' is redundant? Example: The runningback
reaggravated his injured right knee...Wouldn't 'aggravated' do the
trick if the injury was already in existence?"
Kara Henderson
"Aggravate," indeed, means to make worse.
So "reaggravate" IS redundant, at best, and is not even a word, at
worst.
And another letter about redundancy comes from a news director in
Minot, North Dakota.
"... a phrase that I think has become a virus in TV news... is
'reason (or reasons) why.' I believe it is redundant at best,
incorrect at worst. Perhaps you could remind your readers the
reasons are obvious. If you can economize words, there is no
reason 'why' should be included."
Jim Olson, KXMC
Lose the "why" after "reason."
v
The REASON Gore lost the election is clear.
And the expression "the reason... is because" is downright incorrect.
It should be "the reason ... is that."
v
The REASON your copy reads better is THAT you read
Grammar Corner.
Or, at least, that is what Mrs. B hopes.
