# The Banned List: 205 AI tells and what to write instead

Paste this file into any AI chat as a "do not use" list, or keep it open while you edit. Every entry has three parts: the tell, why readers notice it, and the human replacement.

**How to use the replacement column.** Half the time the best fix is to delete the phrase. The other half, the fix is not a nicer synonym. It's a *fact*: a number, a name, a date, a thing you saw. "Robust" becomes "handled 40,000 orders on Black Friday without a timeout." Synonyms just make new slop.

**One honest caveat.** None of these words is a crime on its own. Humans wrote "moreover" long before ChatGPT. Readers notice *density*: three or four of these in one paragraph and the reader's brain says "machine." The [Slop Checker](tools/slop-checker.html) scores density, not single words.

Last verified: October 2026. Sources for the "why it's a tell" notes: Wikipedia's [Signs of AI writing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Signs_of_AI_writing) field guide (WikiProject AI Cleanup) and Kobak et al., *Science Advances* 11, eadt3813 (2025), which tracked "delves", "showcasing" and "underscores" spiking across 15M+ PubMed abstracts after ChatGPT launched.

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## Contents

| # | Category | Entries |
|---|---|---|
| A | AI vocabulary (single words) | 60 |
| B | Openers and throat-clearing | 22 |
| C | Robotic transitions | 15 |
| D | Hedging | 16 |
| E | Significance inflation | 14 |
| F | Empty intensifiers | 15 |
| G | Chatbot and email residue | 13 |
| H | Generic CTAs and closers | 13 |
| I | Deck and strategy clichés | 19 |
| J | Structural patterns (not words, shapes) | 18 |
| | **Total** | **205** |

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## A. AI vocabulary: 60 words that went viral in 2023

These are the words that jumped in frequency once people started pasting model output into the world. One is fine. Three in a paragraph is a signature.

| # | Tell | Why it's a tell | Write instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | delve / delve into | The most famous one. Almost nobody said it out loud before 2023. | look at, dig into, cover, or just start |
| 2 | tapestry | Poetic filler for "a mix of things". | a mix; better, name the things |
| 3 | testament (is a testament to) | Inflates a fact into a monument. | shows, proves |
| 4 | landscape ("the AI landscape") | Vague map metaphor. | the market; or name 3 actual players |
| 5 | realm | Fantasy-novel word in a business email. | area, field, or cut it |
| 6 | navigate (the complexities) | Everything is "navigated". | handle, deal with, get through |
| 7 | leverage (verb) | Consultant voice. | use |
| 8 | utilize | Three syllables doing the work of one. | use |
| 9 | foster | Soft, warm, says nothing. | build, grow, encourage |
| 10 | harness | Same as leverage. | use, put to work |
| 11 | embark (on) | Nobody embarks on a Q3 roadmap. | start |
| 12 | journey (as metaphor) | Turns a process into a movie. | process; or "the 6 months it took" |
| 13 | elevate | Vague upgrade. | improve, raise; say by how much |
| 14 | empower | Vague permission. | let, help, give |
| 15 | unlock | Everything is locked in AI copy. | get, open, reach |
| 16 | seamless / seamlessly | Claims ease instead of showing it. | "two clicks", "no setup" |
| 17 | robust | Strong how? | name the property: "handles 10k rows" |
| 18 | pivotal | Inflation. | key, or cut |
| 19 | crucial | Inflation. | say *why* it matters, then drop the adjective |
| 20 | intricate | Decorative. | detailed, complicated |
| 21 | multifaceted | Says "many sides" without naming one. | name the facets |
| 22 | nuanced | Claims depth without showing it. | state the nuance |
| 23 | vibrant | Travel-brochure word (a classic Wikipedia tell). | name the detail: "four bars on one street" |
| 24 | bustling | Same family. | describe what's busy |
| 25 | nestled | Same family. | is in, sits on |
| 26 | showcase / showcasing | Flagged in the PubMed study. | show |
| 27 | underscore / underscores | Flagged in the PubMed study. | show, prove |
| 28 | highlight (as filler verb) | "This highlights…" adds nothing. | show, or cut the sentence |
| 29 | boasts | Ad copy. | has |
| 30 | meticulous / meticulously | Claimed care. | describe the care: "checked all 212 invoices" |
| 31 | comprehensive | Claims coverage. | list what's covered |
| 32 | holistic | Means "I didn't pick a focus". | end-to-end; name the parts |
| 33 | paramount | Inflation. | most important, or cut |
| 34 | myriad / a plethora of | Fancy "many". | many; better, the number |
| 35 | ever-evolving / ever-changing | Says change without naming it. | name the change and the date |
| 36 | dynamic | Filler adjective. | cut |
| 37 | transformative | Claimed impact. | say what changed, with a number |
| 38 | synergy / synergies | Corporate satire word. | name the combined effect |
| 39 | bespoke / tailored | Pretends to be custom. | custom, made for [who] |
| 40 | cutting-edge / state-of-the-art | Dates fast, proves nothing. | new; name the version or date |
| 41 | enhance | Vague upgrade. | improve; "makes X 2x faster" |
| 42 | streamline | Vague efficiency. | "cuts 4 steps to 1" |
| 43 | optimize | Vague efficiency. | faster, cheaper; with a number |
| 44 | cultivate | Gardening metaphor for business. | build |
| 45 | resonate (with) | Soft. | land with, matter to |
| 46 | commendable | Report-card voice. | good |
| 47 | noteworthy | Announces instead of saying. | just say the thing |
| 48 | invaluable | Claimed value. | say what it saved |
| 49 | align with | Corporate. | fit, match |
| 50 | garner | Nobody garners in speech. | get, win |
| 51 | bolster | Same. | strengthen, back up |
| 52 | interplay | Abstract. | how X affects Y |
| 53 | beacon | Purple prose. | cut |
| 54 | symphony (of flavors…) | Purple prose. | cut |
| 55 | treasure trove | Cliché. | collection of 40 |
| 56 | game-changer / game-changing | Hype. | say what changed, with numbers |
| 57 | revolutionize / revolutionary | Hype. | change |
| 58 | supercharge | Hype. | speed up (by how much?) |
| 59 | indelible | Monument voice. | lasting, or cut |
| 60 | enduring | Monument voice. | lasting, still used |

---

## B. Openers and throat-clearing: 22 ways to waste your first line

The first sentence is where readers decide if a human is talking. These all say "I'm warming up."

| # | Tell | Write instead |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | In today's fast-paced world | Delete. Start with your point. |
| 62 | In today's digital age / In the digital era | Delete. |
| 63 | In an ever-evolving landscape | Delete. |
| 64 | In the realm of [X] | "In [X]" or delete. |
| 65 | When it comes to [X] | "For [X]," or start with X. |
| 66 | Let's dive in / Let's dive deep | Just start. |
| 67 | Let's explore / Let's break it down | Just start. |
| 68 | Picture this / Imagine a world where | Describe the real scene you saw. |
| 69 | Have you ever wondered | Answer the question you'd ask. |
| 70 | Buckle up | Delete. |
| 71 | Without further ado | Delete. |
| 72 | In this article/post, we will | Delete; the headline already said it. |
| 73 | Whether you're a [X] or a [Y] | Pick one reader. Write to them. |
| 74 | As we all know | If we all know it, cut it. |
| 75 | It's no secret that | Delete; say the thing. |
| 76 | At its core | Delete. |
| 77 | First and foremost | "First," |
| 78 | Here's the thing | Delete; say the thing. |
| 79 | Let's be honest / Let's face it | Delete; just be honest. |
| 80 | The truth is | Delete. |
| 81 | Look no further | Delete. |
| 82 | Are you tired of / struggling with [X]? | Name the moment: "It's 11pm and the deck is due at 9." |

---

## C. Robotic transitions: 15 joints that creak

Real writers connect ideas with logic, not with signposts. If you need "Moreover", the paragraph order is probably wrong.

| # | Tell | Write instead |
|---|---|---|
| 83 | Moreover | "Also", "And", or nothing |
| 84 | Furthermore | "Also", or nothing |
| 85 | Additionally | "Also", "Plus", or nothing |
| 86 | In addition | "Also" |
| 87 | Notably | Cut; if it's notable, the fact shows it |
| 88 | Importantly | Cut; put the important thing first |
| 89 | Ultimately | Cut |
| 90 | That being said / With that said | "But" |
| 91 | In conclusion | Cut; end on your strongest line |
| 92 | In summary / To summarize | Cut, or "So:" |
| 93 | All in all / Overall | Cut |
| 94 | Consequently / Thus / Hence | "So" |
| 95 | Not to mention | Mention it, then |
| 96 | Needless to say | Then don't say it |
| 97 | It goes without saying | Then don't say it |

---

## D. Hedging: 16 ways to say nothing safely

Models hedge because they're trained not to be wrong. Clients pay you to have an opinion.

| # | Tell | Write instead |
|---|---|---|
| 98 | It's important to note that | Delete; state it |
| 99 | It's worth noting that | Delete |
| 100 | It's worth mentioning | Delete |
| 101 | It is crucial/essential to | "You need to", or "Do X" |
| 102 | Generally speaking | Delete, or give the exception |
| 103 | Arguably | Argue it, or don't |
| 104 | may potentially / could potentially | "may" or "could", once |
| 105 | can help (to) [verb] | Say what it does: "cuts" |
| 106 | in many cases / in some cases | Say which cases |
| 107 | to some extent | Say what extent |
| 108 | tends to | Say how often: "8 out of 10 times" |
| 109 | It depends (and then nothing) | "It depends on X. If X, do A." |
| 110 | a variety of / various | Name them, or give the count |
| 111 | a wide range of | Name the range: "from $9 to $900" |
| 112 | studies show / experts say (no source) | Name the study, or cut |
| 113 | there are several factors to consider | Name the one that matters most |

---

## E. Significance inflation: 14 ways to make a fact sound like a monument

Wikipedia's AI-cleanup editors call this "undue emphasis on significance". It's the model trying to make every sentence feel important.

| # | Tell | Write instead |
|---|---|---|
| 114 | plays a crucial/pivotal/vital/key role in | "[X] does [Y]" |
| 115 | serves as / stands as | is |
| 116 | stands as a testament to | shows |
| 117 | underscores the importance of | Say why it matters, once |
| 118 | marks a significant milestone/shift | "is the first time [X]" |
| 119 | paving the way for | "means [X] can now [Y]" |
| 120 | shaping the future of | Cut |
| 121 | at the forefront of | "one of the first to" (if true) |
| 122 | in the heart of | in |
| 123 | rich history / rich heritage | Give the date and the one fact that matters |
| 124 | a deep understanding of | Show the understanding |
| 125 | left an indelible mark | Say what's different now |
| 126 | reflects broader trends | Name the trend, with a number |
| 127 | key takeaway(s) | "What to do:" |

---

## F. Empty intensifiers: 15 words that make claims weaker

An intensifier is a promise you didn't keep with evidence. Delete it and the sentence usually gets stronger.

| # | Tell | Write instead |
|---|---|---|
| 128 | truly | Delete |
| 129 | incredibly | Delete, or give the number |
| 130 | extremely | Delete, or give the number |
| 131 | deeply | Delete |
| 132 | absolutely | Delete |
| 133 | highly (highly effective) | Give the result |
| 134 | significantly (no number) | "by 34%" |
| 135 | really | Delete |
| 136 | very | Pick a stronger word, or delete |
| 137 | genuinely | Delete |
| 138 | literally (not literal) | Delete |
| 139 | powerful | Say what it can do |
| 140 | amazing / incredible / remarkable | Say what surprised you |
| 141 | essential | "you need" |
| 142 | unparalleled / unmatched / second to none | Name the comparison |

---

## G. Chatbot and email residue: 13 lines that were never meant to leave the chat

These are the model talking to *you*. When they reach your client, they read as "pasted from ChatGPT".

| # | Tell | Write instead |
|---|---|---|
| 143 | Certainly! / Absolutely! / Of course! | Delete |
| 144 | Great question! | Delete; answer it |
| 145 | I hope this helps | Delete |
| 146 | Feel free to | "You can", or delete |
| 147 | Let me know if you have any (other) questions | "Questions? Reply here." or delete |
| 148 | I'd be happy to | "I'll" |
| 149 | As an AI language model | Delete. Check twice. |
| 150 | Here's a comprehensive breakdown/overview | Delete; show it |
| 151 | I understand your concern | Address the concern |
| 152 | Thank you for reaching out | "Thanks for the note," or just answer |
| 153 | I hope this email finds you well | Start with why you're writing |
| 154 | Just circling back / just following up | "Did you get a chance to look at [specific thing]?" |
| 155 | Please don't hesitate to | Delete |

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## H. Generic CTAs and closers: 13 endings nobody clicks

A generic CTA says "I didn't think about what you should do next." Name the action, the time, and the reason.

| # | Tell | Write instead |
|---|---|---|
| 156 | Take your [X] to the next level | "Get [X] done in [time]" |
| 157 | Don't miss out | Give the real deadline |
| 158 | Ready to transform your [X]? | Ask about the specific problem |
| 159 | Unlock your (full) potential | Name the outcome |
| 160 | Start your journey today | "Start the 14-day trial" |
| 161 | Join thousands of [X] | Use the real number ("Join 2,184 freelancers") or cut |
| 162 | Get started today | "Book a 20-min call on Thursday" |
| 163 | Let's connect | Say why: "I'll send you the template" |
| 164 | Stay tuned | Say when: "Part 2 on Friday" |
| 165 | What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments | Ask one specific question |
| 166 | The future is here / The future of X is now | Cut |
| 167 | Elevate your game | Cut |
| 168 | Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro | Pick one |

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## I. Deck and strategy clichés: 19 phrases that make every deck the same deck

This is the category behind "your strategy deck sounds like every other strategy deck." Each of these can appear in any company's deck. That is the problem.

| # | Tell | Write instead |
|---|---|---|
| 169 | drive value / drive growth | "Add $40k MRR by Q2" |
| 170 | move the needle | Name the needle and the number |
| 171 | best-in-class / world-class | Name the class and your rank |
| 172 | north star | Name the metric |
| 173 | low-hanging fruit | "3 fixes we can ship this week" |
| 174 | value proposition (as filler) | Say the value |
| 175 | customer-centric | Name what customers asked for |
| 176 | data-driven | Show the data |
| 177 | scalable solution | "Works for 10 or 10,000 users because…" |
| 178 | end-to-end solution | List the steps it covers |
| 179 | key stakeholders | Name the roles |
| 180 | strategic pillars | Name the 2 bets, and what you're NOT doing |
| 181 | actionable insights | Give the insight and the action |
| 182 | paradigm shift | Name what changed |
| 183 | win-win | Say what each side gets |
| 184 | circle back / touch base | "Talk Tuesday at 3" |
| 185 | going forward / moving forward | "From June," or cut |
| 186 | at scale | Give the scale |
| 187 | unlock growth / unlock value | Name the growth |

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## J. Structural patterns: 18 shapes that give AI away even with clean words

You can delete every word above and still sound like a model. These are the shapes. The Slop Checker detects the ones marked with a dot (•).

| # | Pattern | Example | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 188 | • **"Not just X, it's Y"** | "It's not just a tool, it's a movement." | Say what it is. One claim. |
| 189 | • **"This isn't about X. It's about Y."** | "This isn't about speed. It's about trust." | State Y. Drop the straw man. |
| 190 | • **The triplet** | "fast, simple, and powerful" | Keep the strongest one. Prove it. |
| 191 | • **Em-dash overuse** | "The result — and this matters — is clear." | Use periods and commas. Max one dash per 200 words. |
| 192 | • **Fake suspense question** | "The result? 3x growth." "The best part?" | "It grew 3x." |
| 193 | • **Colon reveal** | "Here's why:" / "The secret:" | Just say it. |
| 194 | • **-ing opener** | "Leveraging AI, we transformed…" | Subject first: "We used AI to…" |
| 195 | • **"From X to Y" range** | "From startups to enterprises…" | Name your actual customer. |
| 196 | • **Uniform sentence length** | Every sentence 15–20 words. | Mix 3-word and 30-word sentences. |
| 197 | • **Zero numbers** | 200 words, no digit. | Add one number per paragraph. |
| 198 | • **Emoji bullets** | "🚀 Speed ✅ Quality" | Plain bullets or none. |
| 199 | • **Exclamation inflation** | "Let's go! This is huge!" | One per piece, max. |
| 200 | Moral at the end of every paragraph | "…And that's what real leadership looks like." | End on the fact. |
| 201 | Bold inline headers in every list | "**Speed:** … **Quality:** …" | Write a sentence. |
| 202 | Title Case On Every Heading | "How To Build A Better Deck" | Sentence case. |
| 203 | Both-sides ending | "Ultimately, the right choice depends on your needs." | Pick one. Say who should pick the other. |
| 204 | Symmetric structure | Every section: intro, 3 bullets, summary. | Let sections be different lengths. |
| 205 | Zero proper nouns | No names, places, products, dates. | Name the client, the city, the tool, the month. |

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## The 6-rule version (if you remember nothing else)

1. **Delete the first sentence.** It's almost always throat-clearing.
2. **One number per paragraph.** Specifics are the opposite of slop.
3. **Name things.** People, tools, cities, dates. Models default to categories.
4. **Pick a side.** "It depends" is not advice.
5. **Vary the rhythm.** Short. Then a long one that carries the detail and lets the reader breathe before the next point. Then short again.
6. **Read it out loud.** If you wouldn't say it to a friend at a bar, rewrite it.

Made by Dan Shipped. Follow @danshipped for the next drop.