Why people write the phrase "free gift"? Isn't this grammatically wrong?"Gift" already express the meaning of

Question

free, so it's redundant to add "free" to the word "gift". What do you think?

Answer 1

First, whether or not it's the best usage, it's not "ungrammatical" (That would mean the forms violated some rule or other. They do not.)

Is it "redundant"? Yes, strictly speaking. But that is not always significant. Redundancy is a COMMON feature of language. More importantly, it is a common feature of GOOD English. One of its main uses is for emphasis, which means it does actually add something to the sentence, even if there is 'no new information'.

In the case of "free gift" it might be debated whether this is a GOOD use of redundancy. I'd say 'sometime yes, sometimes no.' Why yes? Perhaps because, though 'free' is PART of the meaning of 'gift', it is not the whole. So "free gift" explicitly emphasizes THAT aspect.

And since "gift" can also have slightly DIFFERENT meanings, "FREE gift" might possibly be used to emphasize which of those meanings the speaker intends. Consider the different focus of "TOTAL gift" (e.g., when complaining that the team playing yours got a call they did NOT DESERVE), or "NATURAL gift" (or talent). One might often argue that ALL these adjectives were 'logically redundant'. Yet they DO help make a point --to clarify or emphasize-- and so add to the communication.

Answer 2

"Free gift" is from the redundant school of redundancy. A gift is, by definition, free. As an added bonus, I'll give you a couple more: ATM Machine, unconfirmed rumor. They're all over the place.

Repetition is great for poetry and some fictional narrative, but generally a nuisance when it comes to advertising or other non-fiction, business or technical writing. Repetition is great for poetry and some fictional narrative, but generally a nuisance when it comes to advertising or other non-fiction, business or technical writing. Repetition is... (just kiddin')

C'mon. Does anyone really believe "free gift" is written for poetic reasons or to bring out some imagined distinction between the words? "Free gift" is written for one reason: the writer in unsure the reader understands that his bait (the cheap product, or gift, he's willing to give away) is FREE and wants to be certain the reader will come to his store to buy the hook (his over-priced product). If these advertisers are going to assume we're seven years old, they might as well capitalize the word free, put it in bold, and underline it. But then, the advertiser's capitalist intentions would be too obvious even for a seven year old. These devices may also constitute proper uses of the English language, but I hesitate to use them.

Are there different kinds of gifts? Sure. There are testamentary gifts vs. absolute gifts, gifts in trusts vs. simple gifts. But these emphasize difference in timing or beneficial ownership - not whether something is free. This stuff has even been litigated! (see, e.g., Gordon v. Barr, 82 P.2d 955, Cal.Ct.Appls).

Anyway, there are too many silly grammar rules (split infinitives, punctuating quotations, etc.) and I can't believe I spent 15 minutes thinking about free gifts when I could be out wasting money!

Answer 3

Not really redundant, since it depends on the usage, and the circumstances. A gift on your birthday isn't free, but a gift from a stranger under random circumstances is in fact free.

Answer 4

The word "FREE" is often used in advertising as a catch word, much like the word "SEX" is used on the covers of most Womens magazines (Cosmo, Glamour, and etc) to grab the attention of the looker faster. The word "Gift" by itself just looks to bland. Adding free to the word sorts beefs it up like steroids.

Answer 5

gift - - free.
free gift - - no strings attached (didn't have to purchase a magazine to receive 'free gift') play on words otherwise it is an oxymoron depending on its intended meaning.