12 signs writing sounds like AI, and how to fix each one
Uniform sentences, stacked transitions, empty intros and buzzwords: 12 patterns that make writing sound AI-generated, with a before-and-after fix for each.
Most people can’t explain exactly why a piece of writing “sounds like AI”, but they notice it. Usually it isn’t one thing. It’s a cluster of habits that language models fall into because they predict the most typical way to say something.
Below are twelve of the most common patterns, why they happen and how to fix them. One important caveat before we start: none of these proves a text was written by AI. People use every one of these habits too, especially in formal or rushed writing. The point is to spot patterns that make writing weaker, whoever wrote it.
1. The throat-clearing opener
AI drafts often start by setting a grand scene before saying anything: “In today’s fast-paced digital landscape…” or “In an era of rapid technological change…”. These lines could open almost any article, which is exactly why they feel empty.
Fix: delete the first sentence and see whether anything is lost. Usually nothing is. Start with the specific problem, claim or answer.
In today’s fast-paced business environment, effective time management has never been more important.
Most people lose the first hour of their workday to email. Here’s how to get it back.
2. Stacked transitions
“Furthermore.” “Moreover.” “Additionally.” “In addition.” One of these occasionally is fine. Several in a row makes the writing sound like it’s ticking boxes rather than following a train of thought. Our guide to transition words shows plainer ways to connect ideas.
Fix: delete most of them. If sentences are in a sensible order, the connection is already clear. When you need a link, the everyday words (and, but, so, also) work well.
3. Buzzword clusters
Some words appear far more often in AI-generated text than in typical human writing: delve, leverage, tapestry, pivotal, seamless, robust, foster, underscore. This isn’t just anecdote. A 2024 analysis of biomedical research abstracts by Kobak and colleagues found a sharp rise in words such as “delves”, “showcasing” and “underscores” after ChatGPT’s release, and used that “excess vocabulary” to estimate how widely language models were being used in academic writing (arXiv:2406.07016).
Fix: replace each with the plain word you’d use in conversation, or with something concrete.
This report delves into how organisations can leverage robust analytics to foster innovation.
This report looks at how three retailers used sales data to decide which new products to test.
4. Every sentence the same length
Language models tend to produce sentences of a similar, medium length. Each one is fine on its own, but together they create a flat, monotonous rhythm. Human writing usually varies more: a long sentence that builds an idea, then a short one that lands it.
Fix: in each paragraph, split at least one long sentence and combine two short ones, or add one very short sentence for emphasis. Read the paragraph aloud to hear the difference.
5. Everything comes in threes
“Faster, smarter and more efficient.” “Clarity, consistency and confidence.” Lists of three are a classic rhetorical device, which is why models overuse them. When every sentence has a triplet, the writing starts to feel like a slogan generator.
Fix: keep a triplet only where there really are three things. Often one well-chosen word is stronger than three vague ones.
6. “It’s not just X, it’s Y”
This contrast framing (“It’s not just a tool; it’s a revolution”) creates a sense of significance without adding information. AI drafts reach for it often, sometimes several times in one piece.
Fix: state the actual point directly. If something is more than it seems, show how with a specific detail.
Onboarding isn’t just about paperwork. It’s about creating a transformative experience.
Good onboarding gets a new hire to their first real task in days, not weeks.
7. Vague appeals to authority
“Studies show…”, “Experts agree…”, “Research suggests…”, with no study, expert or research named. It sounds authoritative but can’t be checked, and sometimes there’s nothing behind it.
Fix: name the source and link to it, or remove the claim. If it’s your own view, say so.
8. “It’s important to note…”
Phrases like “It’s important to note that”, “It’s worth mentioning that” and “It should be noted that” announce a point instead of making it. If something is important, the sentence itself should show that.
Fix: delete the phrase and start with the point.
9. Relentless balance
AI drafts often give every option equal weight: “On one hand… on the other hand… ultimately, it depends on your needs.” That can be fair, but when readers came for a recommendation it’s frustrating.
Fix: if the evidence favours one side, say so. If it really does depend, explain what it depends on: “Choose A if you have fewer than 50 customers; B if you have more.”
10. The recap conclusion
“In conclusion, effective communication is essential. By following these tips, you can…” The last paragraph repeats the previous ones in a more general form.
Fix: end with something new: a recommended first step, an implication, a question worth thinking about, or simply stop after your strongest point.
11. Invented, generic examples
“Imagine Sarah, a marketing manager at a mid-sized company…” Placeholder characters and hypothetical scenarios stand in for real experience. They make writing feel like a template.
Fix: use a real example you know about, a documented case you can link to, or a concrete detail from your own work. If you don’t have one, a short direct explanation is better than a fictional anecdote.
12. Formatting on autopilot
Headings every two paragraphs, bold phrases in every sentence, and bullet lists for ideas that need connecting. Some models also lean heavily on particular punctuation, such as em dashes. Plenty of skilled human writers use em dashes too, so treat this only as a prompt to check whether the formatting helps the reader.
Fix: use lists for steps, options and items that are genuinely parallel. Use paragraphs for reasoning. Bold only what a skimming reader must not miss.
How to use this list
Don’t try to hunt down every pattern at once. A practical approach:
- Cut the opener, the recap conclusion and “it’s important to note” phrases. That alone makes a big difference.
- Scan for stacked transitions and buzzwords and replace them with plain language.
- Read each paragraph aloud and vary the sentence rhythm where it drones.
- Add at least one specific detail, source or opinion per section.
For a full editing routine, see how to edit AI-generated writing. To speed up the sentence-level work, you can run a paragraph through the humanizer and compare the changes, keeping the ones that sound like you.
Because humans use these patterns too, spotting them doesn’t tell you who wrote a text. Detectors that rely on similar signals make mistakes for the same reason. Read why AI detectors produce false positives.