What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tautological
Example
The phrase 'free gift' is tautological because all gifts are free. [tautological: adjective]
Example
Saying 'I saw it with my own eyes' is tautological because the phrase 'with my own eyes' is redundant. [tautological: adjective]
repetitive
Example
The teacher's lectures were repetitive and made the students lose interest. [repetitive: adjective]
Example
The writer's use of the same adjective in every sentence was repetitive and lacked creativity. [repetitive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Repetitive is more commonly used in everyday language than tautological. Tautological is a more specialized term that is typically used in academic or technical writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tautological and repetitive?
Tautological is a more formal word than repetitive, which is more casual and informal.
