Business Grammar: What's Wrong with a Free Gift?

Originally published December 19, 2012, updated June 3, 2014
This one paragraph contains a business writing error. Find and correct it.
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Explanation:
Free gift is redundant. It's similar to completely naked or advance planning or reiterate again.
Anything that is a gift is free; otherwise, it isn’t a gift. Likewise, if there is a cost involved, it is not a gift.
The term free gift is used frequently by marketers to entice customers with a bonus offer: "Free gift with the purchase of $50 or more!" But, it comes across as insincere and marketing-speak, instead of conveying real customer appreciation.
Remember that a gift is always free. Jargon in business writing will immediately disconnect your reader. Authentic tone and content is always best.
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