Redundant 'plus': 100+ and more

Using the word "plus" together with a + sign, or adding "plus" where a conjunction already does the job, creates redundancy and weakens clarity.

Below are a short rule, common traps, many wrong/right examples across work, school, and casual contexts, step-by-step rewrites, and quick checks you can use right away.

Quick answer

Choose one clear way to show addition: the + symbol, the word "plus," or a conjunction such as "and" (or a phrase like "and other" / "more than"). Don't use two of these in the same clause.

If you write 100+, don't also write "more than 100" or tack on "plus" in the same clause.
Use "and" (or "and other") for lists: "A, B, and C" - not "A, B, plus C."
Reserve + for compact labels, UI, and charts; spell out additions in formal prose.

Core explanation: one-line rule and common traps

One-line rule: use a single addition signal per clause. If you already have + or "and" or "more than," don't add another.

Common traps include "100+ plus" (double quantifier), "A, B, plus others" (informal list), and mixing symbol and word in one clause.

Pick one: + OR plus OR and / and other / more than.
If you need emphasis or clarity, rewrite the clause instead of stacking signals.

Wrong - She has 50+ plus certificates.Right - She has 50+ certificates. Or: She has more than 50 certificates.
Wrong - English, Spanish, plus more languages.Right - English, Spanish, and other languages.

Grammar section: when + is a symbol, not a conjunction

The + symbol is shorthand and functions like punctuation or a label - not a grammatical conjunction. In running prose, use words that create grammatical relations ("and," "and other," "more than").

Use + for compact facts (labels, UI, dashboards). In formal prose, prefer spelled-out forms for readability.

Acceptable compact uses: "5+ years' experience," "100+ users."
Avoid: "We hired 5+ engineers, plus interns." Rewrite to create a proper clause.

Wrong - He earned 3+ awards, plus nominations.Right - He earned 3+ awards and several nominations.Formal: He earned more than three awards and several nominations.

Spacing section: how to write the + sign neatly

Most editorial styles attach + to the number without a space (100+). Some design systems add space in headings for aesthetics, but running text usually uses no space.

Treat + like part of the numeric token; don't combine it with extra words that repeat the same meaning.

Prefer: 100+ participants (no space).
Avoid: 100 + participants (unless your design system requires it) and avoid "100+ participants, plus...".

Wrong - The workshop had 200 + attendees, plus volunteers.Right - The workshop had 200+ attendees and volunteers.Better (formal): More than 200 people attended, including volunteers.

Hyphenation section: + doesn't fix compound problems

Hyphens form compound modifiers ("a five-year plan"). The + sign doesn't replace hyphens or fix modifier grammar. Use hyphens where required and avoid inserting + into grammatical compounds.

Use + visually for labels ("Web + Mobile"); in sentences use conjunctions and hyphens as needed.

Use hyphens: "a five-year plan" or "a 5-year plan."
Use + for labels: "Web + Mobile" (heading). Use "web and mobile development" in prose.

Wrong - We hired 2+ year-experience candidates, plus contractors.Right - We hired candidates with 2+ years of experience and contractors.Or: We hired candidates with more than two years of experience and contractors.

Real usage: when + is fine (and when it looks sloppy)

Pick + for short interfaces, dashboards, labels, or marketing headers where readers expect compactness. Avoid it in academic papers, legal text, and formal reports.

If the audience is casual (social posts, in-house chat), + is usually acceptable. For external formal communication, spell it out.

Good: UI elements ("Users: 1,200+"), slide headers, email subject lines when brevity matters.
Bad: Executive summaries, published articles, legal contracts - spell it out: "more than 1,200."

Work - Acceptable (UI): Dashboard: "Active users: 5,000+". Not for report: "The platform serves more than 5,000 active users."
Casual - Acceptable (social): Tweet: "Tickets left: 20+". Better for clarity: "About 20 tickets left."
School - Avoid in formal writing: Use "more than 30 respondents" instead of "30+ respondents" in methods sections.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the phrase. Context usually makes the right choice clear.

How to fix your sentence: step-by-step rewrites

Editing routine: (1) Find addition signals (+, plus, and, more than). (2) Choose the clearest single signal for the context. (3) Rewrite for parallel structure. (4) Read aloud.

If a clause contains both + and a word that adds the same meaning, remove one and adjust punctuation.
When rewriting, preserve meaning and make lists parallel: "A, B, and C" or "A, B and other C."

Original: There are 100+ books on the shelf, plus more in storage.
Rewrite: There are 100+ books on the shelf and more in storage.Alternative (formal): There are more than 100 books on the shelf and additional volumes in storage.
Original: The package includes a free gift, plus more surprises.
Rewrite: The package includes a free gift and additional surprises.
Original: She is fluent in English, Spanish, plus more languages.
Rewrite: She is fluent in English, Spanish, and several other languages.

Examples: copyable wrong/right pairs for work, school, and casual use

These pairs show the redundancy pattern and a clean fix. Swap in your details; keep the same structure.

Work - Wrong: Our Q3 revenue grew 12+%, plus subscription renewals increased.
Right: Our Q3 revenue grew 12+% and subscription renewals increased.
Work - Wrong: Headcount: 120+, plus 8 contractors.
Right: Headcount: 120+ (including 8 contractors). Or: 120 employees and 8 contractors.
Work - Wrong: 3+ initiatives, plus cost savings.
Right: 3+ initiatives and cost-saving measures.
School - Wrong: The study had 50+ participants, plus a control group.
Right: The study had more than 50 participants and a control group.
School - Wrong: Sources: Khan (2017), Patel (2018) plus others.
Right: Sources: Khan (2017), Patel (2018), and others.
School - Wrong: We collected 30+ samples, plus repeat measures.
Right: We collected more than 30 samples and repeat measures.
Casual - Wrong: Movie night - snacks 10+ bags, plus soda.
Right: Movie night - snacks: 10+ bags and soda.
Casual - Wrong: I've read 20+ books this year, plus a few comics.
Right: I've read 20+ books this year and a few comics.
Casual - Wrong: Shirts 2+ for $25, plus free shipping.
Right: 2+ shirts for $25 with free shipping.
General - Wrong: She earned more than 100+ awards.
Right: She earned more than 100 awards. Or: She earned 100+ awards.
General - Wrong: Discount: +20% off, plus bundle pricing.
Right: Discount: 20% off and bundle pricing. Or (label): +20% on the tag; describe bundle pricing separately.

Memory trick: PICK and three fast checks

Mnemonic: PICK - Pick It, Choose Keeper. In any clause with multiple adders, PICK one and remove the rest.

Three fast checks: scan for +/plus/and/more than; decide which fits the format (label vs prose); rewrite to a single connector.

If you see both + and any of the words "plus," "and," or "more than" in one clause, cut one.
If writing for formal readers, default to words ("more than," "and"). If making a UI or header, + is usually OK.

Example: "Tickets: 50+ plus volunteers" → PICK → Keep "50+ tickets" and rewrite: "Tickets: 50+ (volunteers included)" or "50+ tickets and volunteers."

Similar mistakes to watch for

The same redundancy pattern appears with other paired words: "and also," "plus also," "more than 100+," and mixing numerals and words that duplicate meaning.

Fix these the same way: pick one expression and rewrite the clause for parallel structure.

Wrong: "and also" →
Right: choose "and" or "also."
Wrong: "more than 100+" →
Right: "more than 100" or "100+".
Watch marketing shorthand: avoid combining + with redundant promotional words in one line.

Wrong - She earned more than 100+ certificates.Right - She earned more than 100 certificates. Or: She earned 100+ certificates.
Wrong - We will announce winners soon, and also give prizes.Right - We will announce winners soon and give prizes.
Wrong - Increase by +10%, plus bonus points.Right - Increase by 10% and bonus points. Or (label): +10% (on the tag) and list bonus points in the copy.

FAQ

Is it wrong to use 100+ in formal writing?

Prefer "more than 100" or "over 100" in formal prose. Use 100+ sparingly in tables, captions, or UI where brevity is expected.

Should I put a space before or after the + sign like "100 +" or "100+"?

Most style guides attach + to the number with no space (100+). In running text use 100+; design contexts may differ for aesthetic reasons.

Can I use "plus" instead of "and" in a list?

In informal speech or marketing, "plus" is conversational. In lists and formal writing, use commas and a final conjunction: "A, B, and C."

What about "more than 100+" - is that acceptable?

No. That's redundant. Use either "more than 100" or "100+".

What's a quick way to check for redundant pluses?

Underline every addition marker (+, plus, and, more than). If more than one appears in the same clause, remove or rewrite until only one remains.

Need a quick check?

If you're unsure whether to keep a + or the word "plus," paste the sentence into a checker to flag duplicate addition signals. Then pick the rewrite that best fits your tone and audience.