How to make AI writing sound human

Start with the reader’s task. What do they need to understand, decide or do after reading? Keep that answer beside the draft as you edit. Plain writing comes from choosing what matters and saying it directly, rather than adding casual words to every sentence.

Find the patterns that slow readers down

• Stock openings: “I hope this email finds you well” delays the reason for writing.
• Throat clearing: “it is important to note that” often adds no information.
• Long connectors: “in order to ensure” can hide a simple purpose.
• Repeated conclusions: “in conclusion” may introduce a summary the reader does not need.
• Uniform rhythm: several sentences with the same length and structure can feel mechanical.

Try the AI phrase checker to find wording to review. None of these patterns proves that a person used AI. They are editing clues. Read each sentence and ask what it contributes. A familiar phrase can stay when it serves the situation, rather than filling space.

Edit the draft by hand

Move the main request or finding toward the start. Delete introductions that announce what the paragraph is about to say. Replace vague praise with a specific observation you can support. Give each paragraph one job, and split sentences when separate actions or conditions compete for attention.

Read the result aloud. Keep a longer sentence when its clauses belong together. Use a short sentence when a point needs space. Avoid changing words just for variety, especially technical terms whose exact meaning matters.

A prompt you can use

Rewrite this draft in plain language for its intended reader. Remove stock openings, padding and repetition. Keep the meaning, uncertainty and level of commitment. Keep names, numbers, dates, quotes, citations and links unchanged. Do not add facts. Flag anything you cannot preserve. Return the rewrite, then list the changes that need my review.

Add the intended reader and paste your draft after the prompt. A request to “make it sound human” leaves many choices open. An assistant may shorten away a condition, turn “may” into “will” or replace a precise term with a broader one. A preservation instruction helps define the task, but you still need to check the result.

Check the facts after any rewrite

• Match names, roles and company names against the source.
• Check every number, unit, date and deadline.
• Compare quotes word for word and keep their attribution.
• Open links and match citations to the claims they support.
• Review conditions, uncertainty and who is responsible for each action.

Ink uses a shared model with Light, Balanced and Strong rewrites. It checks names, numbers, dates, quotes, citations and links and warns if one goes missing. Compare shows the edits. Those checks can miss changes. See a real email example, advice for cover letters, or Ink’s detector policy.

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