AI has predictable bad habits: corporate jargon, filler phrases, generic advice, and overuse of certain words. Negative prompting — explicitly telling AI what to avoid — is often the fastest way to improve output quality.
Words and Phrases to Ban
Add this to any writing prompt: "Do NOT use these words or phrases:"
- "delve" / "dive into" / "dive deep"
- "leverage" / "utilize" (use "use" instead)
- "in today's fast-paced world" / "in the ever-evolving landscape"
- "game-changer" / "revolutionary" / "cutting-edge"
- "it's important to note that" / "it's worth mentioning"
- "seamlessly" / "effortlessly" / "robust"
- "unlock the power of" / "harness the potential"
- "navigate the complexities"
These are telltale signs of AI-generated content. Removing them makes output sound more human.
Structure and Format Negatives
- "Don't start with a generic overview paragraph — get straight to the point"
- "Don't use more than 3 bullet points in a row"
- "Don't repeat the same idea in different words"
- "Don't end with a generic conclusion — end with a specific action step"
- "Don't use passive voice"
- "Don't write paragraphs longer than 4 sentences"
Content Negatives
- "Don't give generic advice — be specific with names, numbers, and examples"
- "Don't hedge excessively — take a position"
- "Don't summarize what I already told you in the prompt"
- "Don't add a disclaimer unless absolutely necessary"
- "Don't use hypothetical examples when real ones exist"
Combining Positive and Negative Prompts
The most effective prompts combine what TO do with what NOT to do:
"Write a blog introduction about remote work productivity. DO: Start with a surprising statistic or bold claim. Use short sentences. Be conversational. DO NOT: Start with 'In today's fast-paced world.' Use corporate jargon. Write more than 3 sentences. Use the word 'delve.'"
This dual approach gives AI clear guardrails on both sides.
Building Your Personal Blocklist
Over time, notice patterns in AI output that bother you and add them to a personal blocklist. Save it and append it to every writing prompt. This single habit dramatically improves output quality. For professionally crafted prompts that already avoid these pitfalls, browse our prompt library.