DraftGuard— AI
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Words that sound AI-generated

Words do not prove AI,
but patterns create suspicion.

The issue is not one forbidden word. It is repeated vague phrasing, inflated transitions, and claims that avoid specifics.

Useful for

Students and writers doing a final pass for generic AI-sounding phrases before submission.

Diagnosis

What is probably happening.

No honest editor can prove AI from one word. The risk appears when a draft stacks the same signals: broad openings, inflated verbs, symmetrical lists, vague attribution, and conclusion language that sounds important but says little.

  • The draft repeats phrases like delve into, crucial, transformative, and in today's world.
  • Sentences use abstract nouns where the argument needs examples.
  • Transitions make every paragraph sound equally polished and equally distant.
  • The same sentence shape appears across the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Fix sequence

  1. 01

    Scan for stock phrases

    Use Cliche Hunter to catch common AI phrases, then decide whether each phrase should be deleted, narrowed, or replaced with a concrete detail.

    Tool

    Cliche Hunter ->
  2. 02

    Fix the claim, not only the word

    When you remove a phrase like plays a crucial role, ask what role, for whom, and in what situation. Specific answers beat synonym swaps.

    Tool

    Sentence Rewrite ->
  3. 03

    Check for repeated rhythm

    Run a full Risk Check after phrase cleanup. Repetition across sentences can still make the draft feel machine-smoothed.

    Tool

    Risk Check ->

Before and after

Before

This essay delves into the multifaceted impact of technology on modern society.

Better direction

This essay compares two effects of phone bans in school: fewer hallway conflicts and more arguments about enforcement.

The rewrite replaces inflated framing with a narrow comparison the writer can support.

Before

It is important to note that collaboration plays a crucial role in achieving success.

Better direction

Our group finished the lab only after Maya split the data table and I checked the outliers by hand.

The concrete action makes the collaboration claim visible.

Checklist

What to check before publishing.

  • Replace in today's world with the actual context or delete it.
  • Replace delve into with the exact action: compare, test, trace, question, or argue.
  • Replace crucial role with the specific role and evidence.
  • Replace many experts believe with named sources or your own narrower claim.
  • Vary sentence rhythm after removing repeated transition phrases.
Check a paragraphBrowse workflows

Related workflows

False-positive appeal kit

Build the email, evidence checklist, and revision focus for a review conversation.

Open ->

Teacher says essay is AI

Start with process evidence before chasing another detector score.

Open ->

Check a paragraph

Find the specific lines that sound generic, unsupported, or too polished.

Open ->

FAQ

What words make writing sound AI-generated?

Common signals include delve into, crucial, transformative, multifaceted, in today's world, and it is important to note. The bigger issue is vague phrasing repeated across a draft.

Should I remove every formal word?

No. Formal writing is not the problem. Keep precise academic words and remove phrases that add polish without adding meaning.

Can changing words lower an AI detector score?

DraftGuard does not optimize for detector scores. The goal is clearer writing: fewer vague claims, more specific evidence, and language you can explain.