- By Jim Evans
- Entertainment
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SMART TALK by Dr. Dot Pilcrow
FIGHT AGAINST: The Institute for the Linguistically Impaired doesn't fight against the use of redundancies. Nor does it protest against the practice. It does, however, fight their use.
"Against" is understood unless otherwise specified. You can fight for something, but notice how the meaning changes when you take out the "for." Proof that fight against is redundant.
Notice how much wimpier one sounds shouting, "I protest against it!" rather than "I protest!" And if I say, "I'm going to fight you," do I need to clarify the threat?
Therefore, we protest the use of redundancies. They make solid language watery.
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