You used AI to write something.
It came out polished. Professional. Grammatically correct.
And completely unlike you.
Anyone who knows you would spot it immediately. The tone is too formal. The sentences too long. It just doesn’t sound right.
This is one of the most common problems with AI. The fix is straightforward.
What this helps with
Use this when:
- AI output sounds too formal
- the tone doesn’t match you
- you want to use AI but keep your voice
- you’re worried it’s obvious you used AI
- you struggled to explain something you sent
The simple rule
AI defaults to neutral, slightly formal language. If you want it to sound like you, you have to show it what you sound like.
Try this
Open Claude, ChatGPT, or any AI tool and paste this:
“I want this to sound like me, not like a formal document. Here’s how I normally write: [paste an example or describe your style — casual, direct, short sentences, a bit of humour, whatever fits]. Now help me write [describe what you need]. Keep it in my voice.”
What you’ll actually get back
Someone used AI to write an update to their team. The draft was clear and structured — and sounded like it came from a corporate communications team.
They pasted in two previous emails they’d sent and asked AI to match that voice.
What came back was shorter, more direct, and sounded like them.
They sent it as is. Nobody noticed. That was the point.
The simplest fix
If something sounds off, paste it back in and try one of these:
“This is too formal. Make it more conversational.”
“Make this shorter and more direct. Cut anything that sounds like corporate language.”
“Rewrite this to sound like me. Here’s an example of how I normally write: [paste].”
The read-aloud test
Before sending anything AI helped you write, read it out loud. If you wouldn’t say it that way, it needs another pass. Ask AI to simplify it until it sounds natural.
The real problem
Sometimes it’s not just tone.
If you don’t fully understand what you’re sending — if someone asks you to explain it and you can’t — the issue isn’t the writing. AI should support your thinking, not replace it. If you’re sending things you couldn’t defend or explain, that’s worth paying attention to.
One important thing
The goal isn’t to hide that you used AI. It’s to communicate clearly in your own voice. AI just helps you do it faster.
Start with something you’ve already written
Find something that sounds like you at your best. Use it as a reference. Ask AI to match it.
That’s the fastest way to close the gap.
What to read next
How to Use AI to Improve Your Writing
How to Use AI to Write Emails
The One Skill That Makes AI Actually Useful
Or visit the Decision Hub