How to make AI writing sound like you
AI tools write in a house style that readers now spot quickly. If you use one for a first draft, a short pass for these habits makes the result read like you wrote it. Here is what to look for, and how to fix each one.
1. Em dashes everywhere
AI drafts lean hard on the em dash, often several to a paragraph. Most can become a comma, a full stop, a colon or brackets.
The launch went well — sales doubled.
The launch went well: sales doubled.
Gren's Replace dashes does this in one go. A dash between two numbers becomes a hyphen (2019-2024), one joining a pair keeps a hyphen (Mon-Fri), and the rest become commas. Give the result a quick read, as a colon sometimes fits better.
2. "It's not just X, it's Y"
This contrast, along with "not only X but also Y", turns up in almost every AI draft. Say the point directly instead.
It's not just a tool, it's a new way of working.
It changes how we work.
3. Stock words and phrases
Some words appear in AI text far more often than in human writing. Cut them, or swap in a plain word.
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| delve into | look at |
| a rich tapestry | a mix |
| a testament to | shows |
| pivotal | key |
| seamless | smooth |
| navigate the complexities of | deal with |
| in today's fast-paced world | (cut it) |
| it's important to note that | (cut it) |
| game changer | say what changed |
4. Linking words at the start of sentences
"Additionally", "Furthermore", "Moreover" and "Overall" at the start of a sentence are another giveaway. Most can simply go: start with the point.
5. Neat endings
AI drafts like to wrap up with "In conclusion" and a summary of what you have just read. If the last paragraph repeats the first, cut it and end on your strongest line.
6. US spellings in UK writing
Most AI tools default to American spelling. If you write in UK English, look out for these:
| US | UK |
|---|---|
color | colour |
organize | organise |
center | centre |
analyze | analyse |
traveled | travelled |
defense | defence |
Gren's Use UK spelling fixes them in one go, keeping capitals and leaving names, links and code alone.
7. Your own words to avoid
Everyone has filler words and favourite intensifiers. Keep a list and check every draft against it. Gren starts you with a short list of common filler and hype words, and you can change it to your own.
Check a whole draft at once
Gren's Style check, in the Stats panel, finds all of the above as you write: dashes, US spellings, your words to avoid and common AI phrases. Each type is listed with a count. Click one to jump to it in your note, or switch on Highlight in the note to see them all in place.
Our new color scheme — it's a game changer. Let's delve into it.
What this is for
None of this is about fooling an AI detector, and it will not. It is about writing that sounds like a person, and like you in particular. If you are writing for a course or an employer, follow their rules on using AI.
Questions
Why do AI tools use so many em dashes?
Nobody outside the AI companies knows for sure. The most common explanation is that dashes are frequent in the edited writing these models learn from, and the models then overuse them.
Does an em dash mean something was written by AI?
No. Writers used dashes long before AI tools existed. It is the number of them, together with the other habits on this page, that gives a draft away.
Can Gren rewrite my text?
No. Gren points out what to look at and fixes dashes and spellings for you, but the rewriting stays yours.
Which spelling does Gren check for?
UK English, with the -ise endings, such as organise and realise, that most British writers use.
Is the style check free?
Yes. Gren is free, needs no account, and your writing never leaves your browser.