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ImageSMART TALK
by Dr. Tilde Cedilla



PERSONALLY: The Institute for the Linguistically Impaired sometimes treats patients for this overworked word.  In our William Safire Center, we make it clear that most uses of personally are logically redundant, or tautological.

Saying personally, I feel... or personal friend is tautological.  The personal part is already logically present in the words "I feel" and "friend."  The phrase to tell you the truth is also a tautology.  Oh, you've been lying until now?

In our weekend workshops at Warriner House, we cover this as well, teaching that these tautologies sound insincere.  You protest too much, and you're stalling.



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