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The less said the better when it comes to long-winded phrases

Fewer superfluous, unnecessary and meaningless words would improve some expressions

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott
The Irish Times – Letters to the Editor
Sat May 02 2026 - 05:00 • 1 MIN READ

A chara, – I find the widespread use of the phrase “in and of itself” irritating. Whatever the “of itself” means, if anything, does the “in itself” not render it redundant? If so, isn’t the “of itself” superfluous, unnecessary and meaningless?

Are any of your readers with me on this? – Le dea-ghui,

BILLY LOUGHNANE,

Feakle,

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