I have very little patience for AI slop. Anyone who knows me knows I use my own brain, which is why this whole thing irritates me so much.
Some of these AI telltales are normal phrases in the right sentence. Still, readers are more suspicious now, and they should be. When writing starts to show the usual signs of AI writing, trust goes poof.
I pulled this list of AI writing patterns from my own editing work and a few sources I’ve been saving, so it is here in one practical place for anyone who needs it.
7 Minutes Read
Here’s the list:
The “it’s not X, it’s Y” pattern
- Do not use antithetical parallelism.
Avoid:- “It’s not just about visibility, it’s about trust.”
- “It’s not posting. It’s positioning.”
- “It’s not chasing attention. It’s earning trust.”
- “It’s not about being loud. It’s about being clear.”
- “This isn’t just content, it’s a strategy.”
- “It’s not a trend, it’s a transformation.”
- “Not this. That.”
- “Not more content. Better content.”
- “Not attention. Trust.”
- “More than a product, it’s a complete solution.”
- “Beyond X, it helps you Y.”
The “not only… but also” construction
- Do not use “not only… but also.”
Avoid: “Not only does it save time, but it also improves results.”
Em dashes that make writing look machine-made
- Do not use em dashes.
Find another way to express the thought. Rewrite the sentence. Use a full stop, comma, colon, or parentheses if needed.
Semicolons that make sentences feel overworked
- Do not use semicolons.
Split the sentence or make it simpler.
The rule of three and staged three-part rhythm
- Do not use the rule of three or three-part cadence.
Avoid neat groups of three in any form:- three adjectives: “clear, simple, effective”
- three benefits: “save time, reduce costs, improve results”
- three short sentences used to build drama: “The briefs arrive pre-formed. The decisions have already been made. Design’s job is to make it look good.”
This rhythm has become one of the most recognizable signs of AI writing. It sounds staged, polished, and too obviously built for effect.
Repeated sentence openings that create fake momentum
- Avoid anaphora-style repetition:
- “You test the hook. You test the offer. You test the angle.”
- “Some days, it works. Some days, it fails. Some days, you question everything.”
- “We need better briefs. We need better feedback. We need better strategy.”
Repetition can work when it builds toward something real. AI often uses it to create rhythm without adding substance.
Formal transition words that sound like essay writing
- Do not use formal transition glue.
Avoid opening sentence after sentence with:- Additionally
- Moreover
- Furthermore
- In addition
- What’s more
- Importantly
- Notably
- Consequently
- Therefore
- Overall
- Ultimately
- In conclusion
Most of the time, the connection between ideas should be clear from the ideas themselves.
Dead openings that instantly sound like AI
- Never use dead AI openings.
Do not use these under any circumstances:- “In today’s digital world…”
- “In today’s fast-paced landscape…”
- “In an increasingly competitive market…”
- “As businesses continue to navigate…”
- “With the rise of AI…”
If someone is still using these, they really need to wake up.
Fake rhetorical questions with no real purpose
- Do not use fake rhetorical questions.
Avoid:- “Want better results?”
- “Struggling to stand out?”
- “What if your content could do more?”
- “Ready to take your strategy to the next level?”
Source-free claims that sound confident but mean nothing
- Do not make source-free authority claims.
Avoid:- “Studies show…”
- “Research suggests…”
- “Experts agree…”
- “Data proves…”
- “Many businesses are realizing…”
Do not make a claim without a source, number, author, date, or real example.
Invented facts, quotes, studies, or examples
- Do not invent facts, quotes, studies, or examples.
Check anything uncertain. No fake citations, fake numbers, or confident claims that only “sound right.”
Fake specificity that hides vague writing
- Avoid fake specificity.
Cut phrases that sound descriptive but say nothing concrete:- “a dynamic hub”
- “a thriving ecosystem”
- “a rich culture”
- “a convenient location”
- “a meaningful impact”
- “a transformative experience”
Ask: what exactly, compared to what, based on what?
Abstract words where concrete words would work better
- Avoid abstract words when concrete ones would do.
AI often writes in concepts instead of images. Cut words like “comprehensive,” “foundational,” “nuanced,” “impactful,” and “strategic” when they do not point to anything specific. Ask: can the reader picture this? If not, rewrite.
Stiff business words that make writing sound unnatural
- Avoid business-casual Latinate words.
Prefer short, plain words. Use “use” instead of “utilize,” “help” instead of “facilitate,” “show” instead of “demonstrate,” and “start” instead of “initiate.” This kind of Latinate bias makes writing sound professional but stiff.
Balanced hedge sentences that weaken the point
- Avoid the balanced hedge sentence.
Cut sentences that make a claim and immediately soften it.
Avoid: “While X has many benefits, it is important to note that Y also presents challenges.”
Make a clear point instead.
Brochure-style language in the wrong place
- Avoid borrowed brochure language.
Do not slide into tourist-brochure, property-listing, corporate-press-release, or consulting-deck language unless that is truly the format.
Empty reassurance that adds no value
- Avoid soft reassurance with no substance.
Cut empty encouragement like:- “You’re not alone.”
- “The future is full of possibilities.”
- “This is an opportunity to grow.”
- “Together, we can shape what comes next.”
- “Let’s continue the conversation.”
“From X to Y” constructions that sound packaged
- Avoid “from X to Y” constructions.
Avoid: “From strategy to execution…” or “From startups to enterprise teams…”
“Whether you’re X or Y” openings
- Avoid “whether you’re X or Y” openings.
Avoid: “Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or sales leader…”
Generic AI words that make writing feel bland
- Avoid generic AI words.
Watch for: delve, landscape, robust, pivotal, crucial, underscore, foster, enhance, seamless, elevate, unlock, leverage, game-changing, quietly.
Be especially careful with metaphorical uses like “quietly reshaping,” “quietly transforming,” or “quietly becoming essential.”
Fake depth that pretends there is more thought
- Avoid fake depth.
Cut phrases that try to make a simple point sound profound:- “at its core”
- “at the heart of”
- “a deeper look”
- “let’s dive in”
- “here’s the uncomfortable truth”
- “here’s the hard truth”
- “here’s what nobody tells you”
- “let that sink in”
- “read that again”
These phrases often add drama before a point that is not actually deep. Say the point directly instead.
Vague grand claims that say very little
- Avoid vague grand claims.
Cut phrases like: “plays a crucial role,” “drives meaningful engagement,” “unlocks growth,” and “builds long-term success.”
The polite assistant voice
- Avoid the polite, generic assistant voice.
Do not sound overly helpful, neutral, cautious, or bland. Good writing should have judgment and a clear point of view. It should sound like a real person who knows what they think.
Rigid essay structure
- Avoid rigid essay structure.
Do not default to a neat intro, three main points, and a tidy summary. Shape the piece around the actual idea.
Circular writing that repeats the same point
- Avoid circular writing.
Do not repeat the same point in slightly different words. If several sentences are saying the same thing, cut the weaker ones.
Flat sentence rhythm
- Avoid flat rhythm.
Do not make every sentence the same length and weight. Vary the pace naturally. Some sentences can be short. Others can carry more detail.
Inspirational endings that feel forced
- Avoid inspirational pivot endings.
Avoid lofty conclusions like: “This is about more than technology. It is about humanity.” Say the actual point instead.
Also avoid endings that sound full of pathos and fake universal wisdom, especially when the point is actually small:- “And maybe that is the lesson.”
- “The future belongs to those who listen.”
- “This is where real change begins.”
- “At the end of the day, it is about being human.”
- “And that is what really matters.”
Overly tidy conclusions
- Avoid overly tidy endings.
No “Ultimately,” “In conclusion,” “To sum up,” or “The key takeaway is.” Just end with the actual point.
Obvious statements that do not need to be written
- Avoid obvious statements.
Do not write: “Good content is important for business success.” Say something specific.
Polished but empty sentences
- Write more naturally and simply.
Use clear sentences, simple words, real examples, actual details, and a bit of opinion. If a sentence sounds polished but empty, rewrite.
