Self-Check Your Writing
Paste your text below to scan for common patterns that read as generic or AI-typical, so you can revise before submitting.
Many universities now run submitted essays through AI-detection software, and separately, markers have simply gotten better at spotting generic, formulaic writing regardless of its source. This tool checks your own draft for the specific patterns most commonly flagged: stock transitional phrases, repeated sentence openers, low word variety, and unnaturally uniform sentence length.
How to Use This Tool
- Paste a full paragraph or essay, not just a sentence or two, since pattern detection needs enough text to be meaningful.
- Review each flagged pattern and revise the specific phrases or sentences it points to.
- Re-check after editing to confirm the flags have cleared.
Why Generic-Sounding Writing Gets Flagged
Both human markers and automated detection tools pick up on the same underlying signal: writing that leans heavily on stock phrasing and repetitive structure reads as less genuinely engaged with the specific topic. This matters for two separate reasons — it can trigger unwanted scrutiny from AI-detection software, and independently, generic phrasing is simply weaker academic writing that tends to score lower on originality and critical engagement criteria.
Common Generic Writing Patterns
| Pattern | Why it's a problem |
|---|---|
| Stock phrases ("in today's society," "delve into," "plays a crucial role") | Overused across countless generic texts; adds no specific content |
| Repetitive sentence openers | Makes writing feel mechanical and reduces natural rhythm |
| Low lexical variety | Suggests a narrow vocabulary or repeated recycling of the same terms |
| Uniform sentence length | Human writing naturally mixes short, punchy sentences with longer, more complex ones |
How to Fix Flagged Writing
- Replace stock phrases with specific content. Instead of "plays a crucial role," state precisely what role and why it matters in this specific context.
- Vary your sentence openers by starting with a subject, a subordinate clause, a transition, or a question rather than the same pattern repeatedly.
- Mix short and long sentences deliberately to create rhythm and emphasis, rather than letting every sentence land at a similar length.
- Read your draft aloud. Repetitive patterns are often far easier to hear than to see on the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tool actually detect AI-generated text?
No. It checks for writing patterns commonly associated with generic or formulaic text, which can appear in both AI-generated and poorly drafted human writing. It cannot determine authorship or origin, and it is not a substitute for your university's actual detection software or academic integrity policies.
Why did human-written text get flagged?
These patterns (stock phrases, repetitive openers, low variety) can appear in rushed or early-draft human writing too. A flag means "worth revising for stronger style," not "this was AI-generated."
Will fixing these flags guarantee I pass AI-detection software?
No tool can guarantee that, since university detection software uses different, often undisclosed methods. This tool is aimed at improving your writing quality and originality directly, which is valuable regardless of what any detection software concludes.