These Phrases Prove You Used ChatGPT/AI: If Your Writing Sounds Like This, People Will Know You Used AI
These Phrases Prove You Used AI
In the ever-evolving world of content creation, artificial intelligence—especially ChatGPT—has become a game-changer. From writing essays to generating marketing copy, AI tools have drastically improved efficiency and output. But with this power comes a peculiar problem: AI-generated content often sounds like AI. Whether you’re a writer, student, marketer, or business owner, it’s increasingly easy for discerning readers to spot when something was written by a machine.
So, what gives it away?
In this article, we’ll break down the telltale signs and phrases that scream “ChatGPT wrote this,” why they matter, and how to humanize your writing, even when using AI as a tool. If you’re aiming for credibility, originality, and authenticity, you’ll want to avoid (or at least revise) these dead giveaways.
Why This Matters: The Credibility Crisis
Before we dive into the phrases themselves, let’s discuss why people care if something was written by AI.
- Authenticity: Readers want to connect with you. AI writing often lacks a personal voice or original insight.
- Trust: When readers detect AI content, they may question the reliability, effort, or intent behind the work.
- Plagiarism and Academic Integrity: In academic or professional settings, AI usage can breach policies or lead to disciplinary actions.
- SEO and Content Value: Google has become better at detecting AI content and may penalize low-value, regurgitated posts.
“As an AI language model, I…”
This is perhaps the most obvious one. Many users accidentally copy the default response of ChatGPT when they ask a question like:
“What is your opinion on climate change?”
And they paste something like:
“As an AI language model, I do not have personal beliefs or opinions, but I can provide information based on available data.”
Unless you’re intentionally quoting AI, this phrase is a red flag that you’ve copy-pasted directly from ChatGPT without editing. It instantly destroys credibility in human-written content.
Better Approach:
Remove the reference to the AI model. Instead, present the facts confidently and attribute opinions or limitations appropriately:
“Climate change is supported by a broad consensus among scientists. The evidence suggests significant human impact on global warming.”
“It is important to note that…”
This phrase is classic ChatGPT. It’s used excessively to introduce basic facts or transitions and sounds overly formal, repetitive, and robotic.
“It is important to note that exercise contributes to better mental health.”
Why does this stand out? Because people rarely speak or write this way in casual or authentic tones. It’s filler that sounds polished but unnatural.
Better Approach:
Use a stronger, more direct sentence, or simply drop the phrase altogether:
“Exercise helps improve mental health.”
“Regular exercise is linked to reduced anxiety and depression.”
“In conclusion…”
Humans can and do use this phrase. But ChatGPT loves it too much. Nearly every auto-generated essay, article, or blog post ends with “In conclusion,” followed by a neat little bow-tie summary.
It’s structurally sound—but often soulless.
Better Approach:
Use a more natural sign-off. Try:
“The bottom line is…”
“So, what does this mean for you?”
“Ultimately…”
Or just wrap things up without the signal phrase entirely.
A human ending often loops back to a personal story, punchy takeaway, or thought-provoking question. AI rarely does that without prompting.
“This underscores the importance of…”
Another ChatGPT hallmark. It’s formal, generic, and overused in AI-generated educational or argumentative content.
“This underscores the importance of proper time management.”
It’s not wrong—it’s just mechanical. It doesn’t carry emotional weight or a unique voice.
Better Approach:
Make the insight more relatable or concrete:
“That’s why managing your time wisely matters more than ever.”
“Without a plan, your day can slip away—fast.”
Adding specificity or human emotion can make the same point much more engaging.
“Overall, it can be said that…”
This is the AI equivalent of “To summarize,” but with a foggy passive voice. It feels like the writer is trying to sound academic or impartial but ends up sounding vague and robotic.
“Overall, it can be said that digital marketing is essential for business growth.”
Can be said by whom? Who is actually saying it?
Better Approach:
Say it boldly, with ownership:
“Digital marketing is essential for growing any modern business.”
“No business can thrive today without a digital presence.”
“The following are some of the key benefits…”
A very ChatGPT way of introducing a list. While this may sound polished, it lacks the conversational flow or storytelling element that human writers typically include.
“The following are some of the key benefits of meditation.”
Better Approach:
Reframe it to sound more natural:
“Here’s what meditation can do for you:”
“Let’s look at a few powerful benefits of meditation.”
A touch of personality, a slight shift in tone—and suddenly the sentence feels human again.
“Artificial intelligence has revolutionized many industries…”
This is often the go-to opening line for AI-written tech articles. Generic, vague, and already overused a thousand times.
Other variations include:
- “Technology is advancing at a rapid pace…”
- “In today’s fast-paced digital world…”
These lines are the equivalent of high school essay intros—they say nothing and scream, “I didn’t know how to start, so here’s a cliché.”
Better Approach:
Start with a question, a surprising fact, or a personal story:
“When was the last time you booked a flight without using AI? Probably years ago.”
“In 2000, your fridge kept food cold. In 2025, it orders your groceries.”
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“In today’s society…”
Another AI intro crutch. This phrase is so broad it’s nearly meaningless, and it’s often followed by vague commentary.
“In today’s society, social media plays a vital role in communication.”
That sentence could’ve been written in 2010 or 2025. It says nothing new.
Better Approach:
Anchor it with specificity:
“With over 4.8 billion users worldwide, social media has become the dominant form of communication.”
“This has led to both positive and negative consequences…”
This phrase attempts to show balance or nuance, but often comes off as generic and lazy when not followed by depth or examples.
“Remote work has increased. This has led to both positive and negative consequences.”
What are they? AI often leaves you hanging or glosses over the details.
Better Approach:
Be specific and add a voice:
“Remote work means more freedom—but also more isolation. For some, that’s a blessing. For others, it’s a struggle.”
“It cannot be denied that…”
This is one of those overly formal phrases used in persuasive writing that AI overuses to sound authoritative.
“It cannot be denied that climate change is a global issue.”
Yes, but that phrasing feels like it came from a textbook. It’s indirect and outdated.
✅ Better Approach:
Be assertive, direct, and modern:
“Climate change is a global crisis. Period.”
“No one can ignore the effects of climate change anymore.”
Why Does AI Sound Like This?
The reasons are rooted in how large language models are trained:
- Predictive Text: AI doesn’t think or feel. It generates the most likely next word based on patterns in massive datasets.
- Neutral Tone Bias: To avoid offense, AI often defaults to safe, neutral, formal language.
- Structure Over Substance: AI excels at formatting—introductions, bullet points, conclusions—but often lacks insight or personal voice.
- Balance Without Opinion: AI tries to present both sides and avoid taking a stance unless instructed otherwise, leading to “on the one hand, on the other hand” type of writing.
How to Sound Less Like ChatGPT/AI and More Like You
Using AI isn’t the problem—it’s relying on it too much or failing to edit and personalize. Here’s how to elevate your content:
1. Inject Personal Experience
Even one personal anecdote can transform dry content into a compelling narrative:
“When I first started freelancing, I made every mistake possible. AI didn’t warn me about that.”
2. Use Humor, Voice, and Personality
Be funny, bold, emotional—even sarcastic, if it fits your tone. AI tends to avoid the edge and risk.
3. Ask Questions
A question draws the reader in and makes the content interactive:
“Have you ever wondered why some blogs feel robotic?”
4. Be Specific, Not Generic
Details ground your writing. Instead of “exercise helps mental health,” say:
“A 20-minute walk every morning did more for my anxiety than any app ever did.”
5. Edit Ruthlessly
Use AI as a draft generator, not a final writer. Prune, punch up, and personalize.
Commonly used AI words that often give away AI-generated writing:
When you read a piece of content and something just feels off, it’s often due to the overuse of commonly used AI words and phrases that lack the nuance of human expression. These include formal, filler-heavy terms like “moreover,” “in today’s digital age,” “furthermore,” and “it is important to note.” AI-generated text frequently leans on these types of words to sound polished and informative, but they often come across as stiff or repetitive. Phrases like “revolutionized the industry,” “plays a vital role,” or “underscores the importance of“ are also widely overused in AI outputs because they’re statistically likely to appear in professional or academic writing. Similarly, AI tends to favor passive voice constructions like “It can be said that…” or “This has led to…” which can make writing feel generic and distant. These common patterns don’t just make content predictable—they also strip it of personality, emotion, and authenticity. Human writers naturally inject variety, tone, slang, emotion, and context-driven expressions—something AI still struggles to replicate without careful editing and instruction.
Commonly used ChatGPT words that often reveal a piece of content was written (or heavily assisted) by ChatGPT:
Certain words and phrases have become synonymous with ChatGPT-style writing because they show up frequently across a wide range of AI-generated responses. These commonly used ChatGPT words include neutral and formal-sounding terms like “delve,” “explore,” “crucial,” “ensure,” “leverage,” and “holistic.” While these words are grammatically correct and technically accurate, they’re often overused in AI content because they statistically appear often in well-written internet text, which ChatGPT was trained on. Additionally, transitional phrases like “In addition,” “Moreover,” “To summarize,” and “In conclusion“ show up frequently in AI outputs, giving content a predictable structure and rhythm. ChatGPT also tends to use disclaimers such as “It’s important to note that…“ or “As of my knowledge cutoff…“ or “I don’t have personal opinions…“ which are direct giveaways. Another dead giveaway is the AI’s tendency to use slightly awkward constructions like “plays a pivotal role“ or “this highlights the significance of…“—phrases that are rarely used in casual human conversation but appear often in formal writing datasets. While individually these words may seem harmless, together they create a distinct “AI voice” that savvy readers and editors can recognize instantly.
Final Thoughts: AI/ChatGPT Is a Tool, Not a Voice
There’s nothing wrong with using AI to help you write. It’s fast, efficient, and can help overcome blank-page paralysis. But if you want people to connect with your words, you have to show up in the writing.
Watch out for these telltale phrases. When you see them, ask yourself: Is this something I would say out loud? If not, rewrite it.
Because the most powerful content—whether it’s a blog, tweet, or book—isn’t just well-written. It’s human.
TL;DR — Phrases That Prove You Used ChatGPT
- “As an AI language model, I…”
- “It is important to note that…”
- “In conclusion…”
- “This underscores the importance of…”
- “Overall, it can be said that…”
- “The following are some of the key benefits…”
- “Artificial intelligence has revolutionized…”
- “In today’s society…”
- “This has led to both positive and negative consequences…”
- “It cannot be denied that…”
Avoid them, or rewrite them with your own voice. Let AI help—but don’t let it replace you.
Want to sound more human in your content while still getting help from AI? Hire an editor or content strategist—or commit to adding your own stories, style, and point of view. That’s what turns words into something people remember.
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