The word list

Best used AI terms.

296 words and phrases that make any page sound like a machine wrote it. This website uses every one of them. If you want your writing to sound like a person wrote it, cross them out.

The list comes from the RequestDesk content terms database, where these same words are filed as over-used AI terms. It updates every time this site rebuilds. For how to put the words to work, seeHow to write bad AI content.

Buzzword · Cliché Opener · Corporate Jargon · Filler/Hedge · Hype · Punctuation · Reveal-Telegraph · Uncategorized · Vague Reference

Buzzword (90)

Adapt: A vague word for adjusting to change. Describe the specific adjustment being made.
Adopt: Corporate shorthand for starting to use something. Say who is using what.
Approach: A vague container word that avoids naming the actual method. Describe what is being done.
Bustling: Stock scene-setting adjective. Show the activity instead of labeling it.
Buzzword: Inflated single words that signal importance without meaning. Replace them with the plain term.
Capture: An inflated verb for simple acts like noting or recording. Use the plain verb.
complexities: Vague inflated noun that gestures at difficulty without naming it.
comprehensive: A broad descriptor that claims completeness without proving it. Show the coverage instead of asserting it.
Crucial: An inflated stand-in for 'important' that overstates routine points. Show why it matters instead.
daunting: Overused dramatic adjective for 'hard.' Name the specific difficulty instead.
deep dive: A trendy label for detailed analysis. Say close look or just show the analysis.
delve: AI's favorite substitute for 'look at.' Its frequency alone now signals machine-written copy.
delve into: AI's favorite stand-in for explore or examine. Its frequency alone signals machine-written copy.
Deploy: Technical-sounding filler applied to plans and ideas, not just software. Use the plain verb.
dive: AI's favored stand-in for 'look at' or 'explore.' Its overuse signals machine-written copy.
Dive into: A worn metaphor for 'explore' or 'examine' that flags AI phrasing on sight.
diving: Half of 'diving into,' AI's stock phrase for starting. Just begin.
Dynamically: Vague adverb that sounds technical but adds nothing.
Dynamics: A vague catch-all for how things interact. Name the specific relationship instead.
Effectiveness: Abstract noun that dodges specifics. Name the result that proves it.
Efficacy: An inflated stand-in for 'how well it works.' Plainer words carry the same meaning.
Effortlessly: An adverb that promises ease the process rarely delivers. Drop it and show the steps.
elevate: Inflated marketing verb for 'improve.' Say what actually gets better.
embark: Grandiose verb for 'start.' Embarking and journeys are AI staples.
Emphasize: Overused filler verb for 'stress' or 'highlight' that appears constantly in AI drafts.
Encapsulates: An inflated word for 'sums up' that reads as machine drafting. Use the plain verb.
Encompasses: A formal stand-in for 'includes' or 'covers' that stiffens the sentence.
energized: Generic enthusiasm that describes no concrete outcome. Say what actually happened or changed.
enhance: A polished stand-in for 'improve' that names no specifics. Say what got better and how.
Enigma: An inflated word for 'mystery' or 'puzzle' that overdramatizes ordinary topics.
Ensure: A stiff substitute for 'make sure' that signals machine drafting. Say what guarantees the result.
Essence: An abstract word for the 'core' of a thing that AI reaches for to sound profound.
Essential: Overused intensifier for 'important' or 'necessary.' Its frequency now reads as machine phrasing.
ever-evolving: Cliché modifier that pads without adding meaning. Cut it.
everchanging: Filler adjective that states the obvious. Most things change; say what changed.
Evolving: A vague progress word slapped onto industries and ideas. Name what is changing and how.
excels: Marketing verb that praises without evidence. Show the result instead.
Exclusivity: An abstract noun that signals prestige without proof. Show what makes it limited instead.
expanding: Generic growth verb. Say what is growing and by how much.
Fancy: A soft filler adjective that adds no precision. Name the specific quality instead.
Fine-tune: Overused metaphor for 'adjust' or 'refine' that shows up in nearly every AI how-to.
Foster: Inflated stand-in for 'build' or 'encourage.' A plainer verb reads as human.
framework: An overused label for any structure. Name the specific method or steps instead.
harness: Inflated verb for 'use,' common in AI copy. The plain word is stronger.
holistic: A vague word for whole-picture thinking. Describe what the approach actually includes.
Honed: A polished metaphor for 'sharpened' or 'refined' that AI attaches to any skill or process.
imagine: A worn opener that asks readers to picture a scenario. Show the concrete example instead.
In a sea of: A tired metaphor for a crowded market. Name the actual competition instead.
Indelible: A dramatic word for 'lasting' that overstates the impression being described.
Journey: A tired metaphor for any process or experience. Almost nothing benefits from being called a journey.
Keen: A stiff word for eager that reads as machine phrasing. State the actual interest or intent.
Landscape: A tired metaphor for any field or market. Name the actual industry or conditions.
mastering: Inflated verb that overstates skill. Describe the actual capability.
methodology: An academic dressing-up of method. Say how it is done in plain terms.
multifaceted: An academic word for having many sides. Name the actual sides that matter.
navigating: A metaphor for handling any complex thing. Say what is being managed and how.
Nestled: A travel-brochure cliché for 'located' that AI drops into nearly any place description.
Nuance: A word writers use to gesture at depth without providing it. Spell out the actual distinction.
nuanced: An overused way to claim depth. Spell out the distinction rather than labeling it nuanced.
optimize: A catch-all improvement word that hides the actual change. State what got better and how.
paradigm: An inflated word for model or pattern. Plainer terms usually say it better.
power: Inflated filler bolted onto verbs and nouns to sound weighty. Name the specific effect instead.
Promptly: A stiff, formal stand-in for 'quickly' or 'soon' that flags machine phrasing.
rapidly: Vague intensifier that inflates pace without a number. Quantify it.
realm: An inflated stand-in for 'field' or 'area,' as in 'the realm of.' Name the topic plainly.
Refine: A polished stand-in for 'improve' or 'edit.' Say what changed and why.
Remnant: A literary word for 'leftover' that sounds out of place in everyday writing.
Resonate: A vague word for 'connect' or 'land.' Name what the audience actually feels or recognizes.
Reverberate: An overwrought verb for 'echo' or 'spread.' Rarely fits ordinary writing.
scalable: A tech buzzword used without numbers. Name what scale it handles and how instead.
seamless: An overused experience descriptor asserted rather than proven. Show that nothing snags instead.
Shaped: A vague verb for influence that hides who or what did the shaping. Name the force.
shed light on: A dressed-up substitute for explain or clarify. The plainer verb reads clearer.
Shifts: A vague word for change applied to trends and ideas. Name what moved and where.
Showcases: An inflated verb for 'shows.' The plainer word carries the same meaning.
Sights unseen: A poetic flourish for 'unseen' that overdramatizes plain description.
Significant: A padded stand-in for 'big' or 'notable' that quantifies nothing. State the actual size or effect.
Simplify: An overused verb for making things easier that appears in nearly every AI explainer.
Sounds unheard: A poetic flourish paired with 'sights unseen' that inflates ordinary writing.
streamline: A vague process word that hides what changed. Name the steps removed or simplified.
Subsequently: A formal connector for 'then' or 'later' that piles up in machine-written sequences.
Success: An abstract catch-all that skips the specifics. Name the concrete outcome that counts as success.
Tailored: Marketing filler that implies customization without any evidence of it.
Tapestry: Ornate metaphor AI reaches for constantly. Drop it for plain description.
underpins: Inflated verb for 'supports.' The plainer word reads clearer.
understanding: A soft abstraction that stands in for concrete detail. Show the specific insight instead.
Utilize: Inflated substitute for 'use.' The shorter word is always better.
Vibrant: Overused descriptive filler. Show the color or energy with specifics.
Vital: An inflated stand-in for 'important' that AI applies to almost everything, draining its force.
Whispering: An ornamental verb favored by AI prose for poetic effect. Use plain language instead.

Cliché Opener (45)

All that you need to know: Overreaching headline promise no piece delivers. Be specific about the scope.
As a professional: A credential prop that adds no authority. Let the substance establish expertise.
At its core: A weighty setup that AI uses to introduce a basic point. State the point directly.
But here's the thing: Throat-clearing with an added contrast that still delays the point. Start with the point.
caught my attention immediately: A stock reaction phrase that tells rather than shows. Present what mattered and let it land.
Everything that you need to know: Overreaching completeness claim. Be specific about what the piece covers.
Had an eye-opening conversation: A generic dramatic opener. Get straight to the takeaway without labeling it eye-opening.
Here's the thing: Throat-clearing that delays the point. Cut it and start with the point.
Here's the thing about: Throat-clearing that delays the topic it introduces. Start with the topic.
Here's what I found: Generic listicle opener that delays the finding. Lead with the finding itself.
I had one of those conversations that stops you in your tracks: A dramatic conversation opener that stalls. Lead with the insight itself, not the setup.
I just published: A generic post opener that leads with the act of posting. Open with the idea itself.
I spent time with: A vague, passive setup about process. Name what was read or analyzed, or skip to the content.
I've been in [X] for over [N] years: Credential-stuffing template that establishes authority by counting years. Demonstrate expertise with specifics instead.
I've been in ecommerce for over 30 years: Tenure-count opener that posture-signals authority. Show experience through specifics, not years counted.
I've learned to: A reflective opener that softens the point before making it. State the lesson directly.
I've spent years: Time-based credential setup that delays the point. State the position directly.
In an agentic world: A scene-setting preamble that delays the point. State what the agent actually does.
in conclusion: A formulaic wrap-up label. End with the conclusion itself, not a signpost pointing at it.
In summary: A formulaic wrap-up marker. If the point needs restating, the writing was too long.
In the ever evolving world: A hollow scene-setter that says nothing. Open with the specific subject and skip the throat-clearing.
In the world of: Empty scene-setting preamble. Cut straight to the subject.
In this post: Meta throat-clearing that hides behind the format. Speak in first person and start.
In today's digital age: Empty scene-setting opener that says nothing. Start with the point.
In today's digital era: A dated scene-setter that adds nothing. Start with the actual subject instead.
Just had a: A real-time opener that leads with the act, not the insight. Open with the considered takeaway.
Just published: A generic post opener that leads with the act of posting rather than the idea. Start with the idea.
Just published a new: A generic post opener that leads with the act of posting. Open with the idea itself.
My Take on: A generic framing label that delays the argument. State the position without announcing it.
Not [X]. [Y].: Formulaic negation-then-correction pattern that reads as an AI tell. Lead with what it is.
Over the past few months, I've noticed something: A generic observational opening that stalls. Get straight to the pattern you noticed.
Running 31 marathons taught me: A credential-first opener that reads as bragging. Lead with the insight, not the résumé.
Simply put: A setup phrase that promises clarity it rarely delivers. Just state the simple version.
Take a dive into: Stock invitation to start reading. Just begin with the substance.
That's not X, It's Y: A formulaic contrast template that manufactures insight through negation. Lead with what it is.
The question isn't: A formulaic contrast that sets up a false choice and stalls the point. Make the direct statement.
There are a few considerations: A vague setup that promises a list without naming anything. State the considerations directly.
This article explores: Distancing phrase that narrates the format instead of the point. Just make the point.
This isn't [X], it's [Y]: A formulaic negation template that manufactures insight. Lead with what something is, not what it isn't.
This isn't just about: The 'not just' construction delays the point with false setup. State what it is directly.
This one is different: Generic trend-article claim with no specifics. Say what makes it different.
This week's newsletter: A distancing opener that hides behind the content piece. Speak in the first person and state the point.
To put it simply: A setup phrase that stalls before the simple version. Just give it.
to summarize: A signpost that announces a recap instead of delivering it. Give the summary directly.
What you need to know: A clickbait framing that promises essentials. Deliver the information without the wrapper.

Corporate Jargon (12)

Align: Business-speak for agreement or arrangement. State what two things match or how they fit.
best practices: A catch-all that dodges specifics. Name the actual method being recommended.
circle back: Meeting-speak for follow up later. State when and about what specifically.
Leveraging: Business-speak for 'using.' The plain word is clearer.
low hanging fruit: A worn metaphor for easy wins. Name the specific quick task instead.
low-hanging fruit: A tired metaphor for easy wins. Name the specific quick task instead.
move the needle: Business-speak for make an impact. Name the metric it actually improves.
paradigm shift: Inflated jargon for a big change. Describe the actual shift in plain terms.
synergy: Empty business-speak for things working together. Say what combines and what results.
table stakes: Vague jargon that hides the real requirement. Name the specific baseline instead.
think outside the box: A worn business cliché for creativity that no longer signals any. Name the specific new approach.
touch base: Vague office-speak for make contact. Say what the conversation is actually for.

Filler/Hedge (64)

absolutely: An emphatic filler that overstates agreement. A simple yes carries more weight.
Actually: A hedge that adds nothing. The statement lands harder without it.
Additionally: Formal connective AI overuses. 'Also,' or nothing, reads better.
alright: Casual filler that adds nothing. Delete it and the sentence holds.
Alternatively: Formal connector overused by AI. 'Or' usually works.
amongst: Archaic variant of 'among' that reads as affected. Use 'among.'
Arguably: A hedge that dodges commitment. Either make the claim or drop it.
As well as: A wordy connector for 'and' that pads lists without adding meaning.
at the end of the day: A worn cliché that pads the sentence and delays the point. State the point directly.
certainly: A confidence booster that adds no information. The assertion is stronger stated plainly.
Consequently: Stiff formal connector. 'So' reads more natural.
designed to: Padding that frames intent instead of result. State what the thing does, not what it aims to do.
Despite: An overused concession transition that pads sentences. Often the clause reads cleaner without it.
Effectively: A filler adverb that dilutes the verb it modifies. The sentence is sharper without it.
Essentially: Vague hedge that softens the point. Say it directly.
Even though: A wordy concession connector. 'Although' or 'but' does the same work with less.
exceptionally: An inflated adverb that adds heat without substance. Cut it and let the fact carry the weight.
excessive adverbs and adjectives: Piled-on modifiers pad prose and dull strong nouns and verbs. Cut modifiers that do not earn their place.
fair point: A concession opener that validates before engaging. Skip it and address the substance.
Firstly: Stiff enumerator. 'First' is plainer, or skip the numbering entirely.
furthermore: A stiff formal connector overused by AI. And or besides usually reads more naturally.
Generally: Vague hedge that weakens the claim. State it plainly or qualify with specifics.
Genuinely: A padding intensifier that reads as AI filler. Cut it and the meaning holds.
Given that: Formal conditional runway that stiffens the sentence. Start with the point.
honest: A credibility flag that implies the surrounding statements need one. Describe the thing plainly.
honestly: Concedes that other statements might not be honest. Drop the qualifier and state the claim.
Importantly: Signposting adverb that tells readers to care instead of earning it.
In contrast: A transition AI overuses to signal comparison. Often the contrast is clear without it.
in the realm of: Wordy runway for 'in.' Cut straight to the noun.
incredibly: An intensifier that inflates the claim without adding evidence. The sentence stands stronger without it.
indeed: A confirmation filler that pads the sentence. Remove it and nothing is lost.
is real: A dramatic declaration that adds emphasis but no information. Fold it in or cut it.
It's essential to: A soft directive that pads the sentence. Say why it matters or state the action outright.
It's important to note: Padding that adds no meaning. If it matters, just state it.
it's important to remember: A padded lead-in that delays the point. State the thing to remember directly.
it's worth noting that: A transition that flags importance without adding any. If it is worth noting, just note it.
lately: Relative-time filler that anchors prose to a moment and dates it. State the point without the time anchor.
let's be honest: Concedes that everything before it may have been less than honest. Just say what you mean.
meticulously: An adverb that inflates ordinary care into diligence. The claim is stronger without it.
moreover: A formal transition that signals machine phrasing. Plainer links read more human.
not only: First half of the 'not only... but also' padding. Trim to the point.
Notably: Signposting adverb that inflates importance. Let the fact stand on its own.
nowadays: Relative-time filler that anchors prose to a moment and dates it. State the point without the time anchor.
on the other hand: A worn connector for introducing a contrast. But or however is tighter.
precisely: A precision claim that rarely earns its emphasis. The number or fact should stand alone.
quietly: A stagey adverb that manufactures drama. Say plainly what happens without it.
real: Empty emphasis that protests its own truth. Describe the thing plainly instead.
recently: Relative-time filler that anchors prose to a moment and dates it. State the point without the time anchor.
remarkably: A padding intensifier that tells rather than shows. Give the detail that earns the reaction instead.
Remember that: Padding that instructs the reader to recall something. State the point plainly instead.
that being said: A wordy pivot into a contrast. But or still does the same job faster.
that caught my eye: Passive observation filler that softens the point. Say what you noticed and why it matters.
the honest answer: Implies dishonest answers exist. State the answer directly.
the honest question: Implies dishonest questions exist. State the question directly without qualifying it.
these days: Relative-time filler that anchors prose to a moment and dates it. State the point without the time anchor.
this week: Relative-time filler that anchors prose to a moment and dates it. State the point without the time anchor.
Thus: Stiff formal connector that reads as machine-written. Plain wording works better.
to be honest: A qualifier that implies the rest might be dishonest. Just say what you mean.
To consider: A soft tag that flags options without committing to any. Name the specific factor that matters.
truly: An intensifier that adds nothing. The statement lands harder without it.
Ultimately: A throat-clearing adverb that adds no meaning. The final point stands without it.
undoubtedly: A certainty word that overstates confidence. If the claim is solid it needs no booster.
when it comes to: Wordy runway before the real subject. Name the subject directly.
You may want to: A soft, noncommittal suggestion that weakens advice. Say what to do plainly.

Hype (26)

best in class: A superlative with no defined class or benchmark. Name the concrete advantage instead.
best-in-class: A superlative with no defined class or proof. Name the specific advantage instead.
cutting-edge: A tired tech label that promises novelty without proof. Show what the technology does.
disruptive: An overstated transformation claim. Show the specific change rather than labeling it disruptive.
Game changer: An empty superlative for anything new. Almost nothing genuinely changes the game.
game-changer: An inflated label that promises impact without showing it. State what specifically changes.
Ground-breaking: Empty superlative rarely earned. Show what is new instead of labeling it.
groundbreaking: A dramatic word drained by overuse. Show what the work actually broke new ground on.
industry-leading: An unsupported ranking claim. Cite the measure that would back it or drop it.
innovative: A worn descriptor asserted rather than shown. Describe what is new about it.
just dropped: Breathless announcement slang. 'Released' or 'launched' reads as considered, not reactive.
next-generation: A vague advancement claim. Say what changed from the last version.
Record-breaking: Superlative that overstates. Cite the actual figure instead.
Revolutionize: Empty superlative. Almost nothing in a normal update is revolutionary.
revolutionizing: Inflated business jargon that overstates change. Describe the specific improvement instead.
Sheer size: A stock exaggeration for scale. Give the actual number rather than reaching for awe.
Shifting rapidly: A breathless stock phrase for change. Name what actually shifted and how fast.
state-of-the-art: A tech superlative that rarely holds up. Describe the specific capability instead.
that changed everything: A dramatic tag that tells rather than shows transformation. Describe what actually changed.
That Changes Everything: Hyperbolic framing that overstates impact. Describe the concrete change instead.
That's what keeps me up at night: A dramatic appeal to personal anxiety. Show why it matters through concrete impact instead.
The data is clear: Asserts certainty as a shortcut. Show what the data says rather than declaring it clear.
The pattern is clear: Declares certainty the evidence rarely earns. Show the pattern rather than labeling it clear.
The pattern is clear.: Asserts certainty the evidence rarely supports. Show the pattern instead of declaring it clear.
unleash: Dramatic marketing verb that overpromises. Describe the real effect.
world-class: An empty superlative with no benchmark. Show the result that would make the claim credible.

Punctuation (7)

—: Overused as an all-purpose connector; it fragments sentences and reads as a hallmark of machine phrasing.
— (em dash): Overused as a catch-all connector; it fragments prose and reads as a tell of machine phrasing.
: (colon in titles): The colon-in-titles formula that builds setup-payoff headlines. Write a direct title instead.
colon before explanation: A colon staged before a reveal adds false drama. A period reads cleaner.
knew:: A colon after 'knew' forces a dramatic pause. Use a period and a new sentence.
realized:: A colon after 'realized' manufactures suspense. A period reads cleaner.
understood:: A colon after 'understood' stages false drama. Use a period and start fresh.

Reveal-Telegraph (40)

But here's the kicker: Announces a twist is coming instead of delivering it. Just state the surprising point.
But here's what became clear to me: A passive windup that telegraphs a realization. State what became clear outright.
But here's what caught my attention: A windup that announces an observation instead of making it. Present the detail outright.
But here's what I've learned: A reflective windup that telegraphs a lesson. State the finding directly.
But here's where I get excited: A transition that announces excitement instead of showing it. Get straight to the compelling part.
Here's the part: A setup that announces a finding instead of giving it. Cut it and state the finding directly.
Here's the part that surprised me: Announces a surprise instead of delivering the insight. State the insight directly.
Here's what I've learned: A reflective windup that promises a lesson. Lead with the finding itself.
Here's what really gets me: An emotional windup that delays the point. Deliver what matters without the buildup.
Here's what surprised me: Dresses a finding as a surprise to build suspense. Just state the finding.
Here's where it gets tricky: A warning that telegraphs difficulty. Address the complex point directly instead of flagging it.
is the tell: Announces significance instead of showing it. State the fact and let readers conclude.
keep coming back to: A false-recurrence frame that fakes a personal throughline. State the point directly.
nobody asks: Insinuates a suppressed question instead of asking it. Pose the question outright.
Nobody Is Talking About: Curiosity-bait that promises hidden knowledge. State the point on its own merit.
nobody mentions: Claims hidden knowledge others ignore. State the point directly and skip the setup.
nobody talks about: Presumptuous setup that claims secret knowledge instead of stating the point.
One line stuck with me: Reflective setup that builds up a quote instead of letting it land. Attribute it directly.
said something that caught my attention: A windup that flags an insight instead of giving it. Just state what was said.
said something that changed: Promises a payoff instead of delivering it. Go straight to what was said.
That is the thread I keep coming back to: Announces that an idea recurs for the writer instead of stating it. Just make the point.
that no one talks about: A clickbait claim of secret knowledge that professionals likely already discuss. State the point directly.
that taught me the most: Reflective lesson-setup that delays the insight. State the lesson directly.
That's when it hit me: A stock revelation phrase that dramatizes the moment. State the realization plainly.
the part most people miss: Clickbait framing that implies hidden knowledge and puts the reader in the dark. State the point.
The part that: A sentence-opener that flags significance before delivering it. Lead with the concrete thing.
the part that changed how I: Announces that an important point is coming instead of stating it. Just say the thing.
The Problem Nobody Talks About: A clickbait headline pattern readers spot instantly as generic. Name the problem in the headline.
the same thing kept coming back: Announces that a pattern emerged instead of naming it. State the finding directly.
the throughline was clear: Declares that an insight became clear rather than sharing it. State the finding plainly.
Then it hit me: A generic epiphany marker. Give the insight without staging the moment it arrived.
This is the part: A clickbait opener implying a hidden insight is coming. State the point directly.
unlock the secrets: Overused reveal framing. Share the information plainly; no secrets involved.
unveil the secrets: Curiosity-bait that promises secrets instead of giving information.
What caught my attention: Announces a coming insight instead of delivering it. Skip the setup and state what mattered.
What impressed me most: A passive setup that promises a reaction instead of the point. State what stood out.
What stands out most to me: A phrase that announces what stood out instead of showing it. Present the detail directly.
What struck me: A passive setup that promises a reveal instead of stating it. Lead with the observation.
What struck me most: A passive setup that promises a reveal instead of stating it. Lead with the observation.
What surprised me the most: Frames a point as a surprise instead of stating it. Give the point plainly.

Uncategorized (8)

candid: Bare-adjective member of the honesty-qualifier family. The existing regex rule catches the adverb "candidly" but NOT the adjective "candid", and that gap let "the guide is candid that this is early" ship inside an ACG draft on 2026-08-04, caught only when Brent asked for a reference count. Same defect as "honest": praising a source for admitting something, or flagging your own statement as unusually truthful, implies the surrounding statements needed no such flag. State the fact plainly. "the guide is candid that this is early" becomes "all of it is early and still forming."
land in the same: Brent, 2026-10-20, ACG Braze issue: "The independents land in the same spot the content vendors did" is a composed metaphor for repetition. Say what happened to the named companies instead.
nobody warns you about: Reveal-telegraph family, same defect as the six siblings already in the DB (nobody talks about, nobody mentions, nobody asks, that no one talks about, The Problem Nobody Talks About, Nobody Is Talking About). It promises a hidden truth instead of stating one, and the passive nobody flatters the reader for being let in on it. State the thing directly. Added 2026-08-06 after the title The Montana Candy Nobody Warns You About sat scheduled on the Chalet Market blog for a week. Every sibling phrasing was banned but this exact wording was not, so no gate flagged it.
plus three Shoptalk Fall interviews: Tacked-on ', plus N <items>' tail that lists what else is in the issue. Reads as filler and counts our output. Brent, 2026-10-14, TC newsletter subtitle.
qa-probe-delete-me-hawking: Temporary probe to reproduce content-terms write 500 (Hawking, 2026-06-14). Safe to delete.
shape: Brent, 2026-10-06: add "shape" to the avoid list. Caught in a Content Cucumber running-store draft line Claude wrote: "The shape of a good send is in what an email copywriting service delivers." Abstract filler noun; name the concrete thing instead.
test response shape check do not save: diagnostic
word for word from a real conversation: Self-certifying authenticity claim in a subtitle, preview or intro. Telling the reader the content is real reads as an AI trust-me tell. Show the person and the quote instead. Brent, 2026-10-14, TC newsletter subtitle.

Vague Reference (4)

As previously mentioned: A backward pointer that assumes the reader tracked everything. Restate the point if it matters.
tells a different story: Storytelling framing that never says what the data shows. Name the actual contrast.
Then [something] and [result]: Formulaic setup-payoff transition. State the next point without the 'then' scaffolding.
Then everything accelerated: Dramatic transition with a vague subject. Say what specifically changed.

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