Question

Select all that apply
Which of the following sentences contain empty phrases?
Despite last year's poor sales, we expect a substantial profit this year.
You will receive weekly reminders every week.
With all due respect, these sales projections appear to be incorrect.
Needless to say, we made no profit last year.

Answer 1

Sentences 2, 3, and 4.

- 2 ("You will receive weekly reminders every week.") — redundant/tautological ("weekly" and "every week").
- 3 ("With all due respect, these sales projections appear to be incorrect.") — contains the empty discourse marker "With all due respect."
- 4 ("Needless to say, we made no profit last year.") — contains the empty phrase "Needless to say."

Sentence 1 is meaningful and not an empty phrase.