- named, not known by the name of (wordiness) [The goldfish was named Fido. Not: The goldfish was known by the name of Fido.]
- narrow escape: cliché (avoid)
- nation's midsection: cliché (avoid)
- NATO organization: delete organization to avoid NATO (North American Treaty Organizaton) organization (redundancy)
- natural instinct: delete natural (redundancy) [His instincts were appropriate. Not: His natural instincts were appropriate.]
- near: not in the vicinity of (wordiness) [The school was near the shopping center. Not: The school was in the vicinity of the shopping center.]
- nearest and dearest: cliché (avoid)
- necessary requisite: delete necessary (redundancy) [Standards are requisites. Not: Standards are necessary requisites.] Because: Requisite means essential or necessary.
- neck and neck: cliché (avoid)
- needs no introduction: cliché (avoid)
- negative impact, change to: harm, hurt or other straightforward expression of negativity (euphemism beyond good taste) [The budget cuts hurt arts organizations. Not: Budget cuts had a negative impact on arts organizations.]
- never a dull moment: cliché (avoid)
- never at any time: delete at any time (redundancy) [We will never disagree. Not: We will never at any time disagree.]
- never before in the past: delete before in the past (redundancy) [We have never disagreed. Not: He have never before in the past disagreed.]
- nevertheless: not but nevertheless (redundancy) [I want to go to the movies; nevertheless, my schedule is too full. Not: I want to go to the movies; but nevertheless, my schedule is too full.]
- new beginning: delete new (redundancy) [The opening dialogue was a good beginning. Not: The opening dialogue was a good new beginning.]
- new creation: delete new (redundancy) [Creation of art is hard work. Not: New creation of art is hard work.]
- new innovation: delete new (redundancy) [The PC was a helpful innovation. Not: The PC was a helpful new innovation.]
- new record: delete new (redundancy) [The pole-vaulter set a record. Not: The pole-vaulter set a new record.]
- new recruits: delete new (redundancy) [Recruits were singled out for routine duties. Not: New recruits were singled out for routine duties.]
- nick of time: cliché (avoid)
- nip in the bud: cliché (avoid)
- no brainer: cliché (avoid)
- no sooner said than done: cliché (avoid)
- none the worse for wear: cliché (avoid)
- now and then: not every now and then (redundancy) [Now and then, I just want to sit an read. Not: Every now and then I want just to sit and read.]
- now: not at this juncture [or at this time, or at this hour] (wordiness) [Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their country. Not: At this juncture, all good people should come to the aid of their country.]
- now or never: cliché (avoid)
- null and void: delete and void (redundancy) [My coupon was null. Not: My coupon was null and void.]
- numbers: not innumerable numbers (oxymoronic) [The numbers did not tally. Not: The innumerable numbers did not tally.]
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