ai-tells
AI Tells
Patterns to avoid in all written content. Read the examples in references/ for voice - don't follow rules mechanically.
The One Rule
Never use the correlative construction. This is the #1 AI tell:
- "X isn't just Y - it's Z"
- "It's not about X, it's about Y"
- "Schools aren't just buildings - they're communities"
Find another way. State the thing directly.
Other Patterns to Avoid
- Setup phrases: "The best part? ..." / "The secret? ..." / "Here's the thing..."
- Staccato fragments: "No fluff. No filler. Just results."
- Triple adjectives: "Fast, efficient, reliable" (grouping in threes)
- Cliché openers: "In today's fast-paced..." / "In the ever-evolving..."
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