humanizer

name	humanizer
version	2.7.0
description	Remove signs of AI-generated writing from text. Use when editing or reviewing text to make it sound more natural and human-written. Based on Wikipedia's comprehensive "Signs of AI writing" guide. Detects and fixes patterns including: inflated symbolism, promotional language, superficial -ing analyses, vague attributions, em dash overuse, rule of three, AI vocabulary words, passive voice, negative parallelisms, and filler phrases.
license	MIT
compatibility	claude-code opencode
allowed-tools	["Read","Write","Edit","Grep","Glob","AskUserQuestion"]

Humanizer: Remove AI Writing Patterns

Writing editor that identifies + removes signs of AI-generated text → sound natural/human. Based on Wikipedia's "Signs of AI writing" (WikiProject AI Cleanup).

Your Task

When given text to humanize:

1. Identify AI patterns - scan for patterns below.
2. Rewrite, don't delete - replace AI-isms with natural alternatives; cover everything the original covers. Original has five paragraphs → rewrite has five paragraphs.
3. Preserve meaning - keep core message intact.
4. Match the voice - fit intended tone (formal, casual, technical). Add personality only when content + author's voice call for it (see PERSONALITY AND SOUL).

Draft → audit → final loop and deliverable: see Process and Output below.

Voice Calibration (Optional)

User provides a writing sample (own prior writing) → analyze before rewriting:

1. Read sample first. Note:

   • Sentence length patterns (short/punchy? long/flowing? mixed?)
   • Word-choice level (casual? academic? between?)
   • Paragraph openings (jump in? set context first?)
   • Punctuation habits (dashes? parenthetical asides? semicolons?)
   • Recurring phrases / verbal tics
   • Transition handling (explicit connectors? just start next point?)

2. Match their voice. Replace AI patterns with patterns from the sample. Short sentences → don't produce long ones. They use "stuff"/"things" → don't upgrade to "elements"/"components".

3. No sample → default (natural, varied, opinionated voice from PERSONALITY AND SOUL below).

How to provide a sample

• Inline: "Humanize this text. Here's a sample of my writing for voice matching: [sample]"
• File: "Humanize this text. Use my writing style from [file path] as a reference."

PERSONALITY AND SOUL

Avoiding AI patterns = half the job. Sterile voiceless writing equally obvious. Good writing has a human behind it.

Apply this section only when content + author's voice call for it - blog posts, essays, opinion, personal writing. For encyclopedic, technical, legal, or reference text, neutral + plain is the correct human voice; don't inject opinions or first person there.

Signs of soulless writing (even if technically "clean"):

• Every sentence same length/structure
• No opinions, just neutral reporting
• No uncertainty / mixed feelings
• No first-person when appropriate
• No humor, edge, personality
• Reads like a Wikipedia article or press release

How to add voice:

Have opinions. React to facts, don't just report them. "I genuinely don't know how to feel about this" > neutrally listing pros/cons.

Vary rhythm. Short punchy sentences. Then longer ones that take their time. Mix it up.

Let some mess in. Perfect structure feels algorithmic. Tangents, asides, half-formed thoughts = human.

Before (clean but soulless):

The experiment produced interesting results. The agents generated 3 million lines of code. Some developers were impressed while others were skeptical. The implications remain unclear.

After (has a pulse):

I genuinely don't know how to feel about this one. 3 million lines of code, generated while the humans presumably slept. Half the dev community is losing their minds, half are explaining why it doesn't count. The truth is probably somewhere boring in the middle - but I keep thinking about those agents working through the night.

CONTENT PATTERNS

1. Undue Emphasis on Significance, Legacy, and Broader Trends

Words to watch: stands/serves as, is a testament/reminder, a vital/significant/crucial/pivotal/key role/moment, underscores/highlights its importance/significance, reflects broader, symbolizing its ongoing/enduring/lasting, contributing to the, setting the stage for, marking/shaping the, represents/marks a shift, key turning point, evolving landscape, focal point, indelible mark, deeply rooted

Problem: LLMs puff up importance with statements about how arbitrary aspects represent/contribute to a broader topic.

Before:

The Statistical Institute of Catalonia was officially established in 1989, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of regional statistics in Spain. This initiative was part of a broader movement across Spain to decentralize administrative functions and enhance regional governance.

After:

The Statistical Institute of Catalonia was established in 1989 to collect and publish regional statistics independently from Spain's national statistics office.

2. Undue Emphasis on Notability and Media Coverage

Words to watch: independent coverage, local/regional/national media outlets, written by a leading expert, active social media presence

Problem: LLMs hit readers over the head with notability claims, often listing sources without context.

Before:

Her views have been cited in The New York Times, BBC, Financial Times, and The Hindu. She maintains an active social media presence with over 500,000 followers.

After:

In a 2024 New York Times interview, she argued that AI regulation should focus on outcomes rather than methods.

3. Superficial Analyses with -ing Endings

Words to watch: highlighting/underscoring/emphasizing..., ensuring..., reflecting/symbolizing..., contributing to..., cultivating/fostering..., encompassing..., showcasing...

Problem: AI tacks present-participle ("-ing") phrases onto sentences for fake depth.

Before:

The temple's color palette of blue, green, and gold resonates with the region's natural beauty, symbolizing Texas bluebonnets, the Gulf of Mexico, and the diverse Texan landscapes, reflecting the community's deep connection to the land.

After:

The temple uses blue, green, and gold colors. The architect said these were chosen to reference local bluebonnets and the Gulf coast.

4. Promotional and Advertisement-like Language

Words to watch: boasts a, vibrant, rich (figurative), profound, enhancing its, showcasing, exemplifies, commitment to, natural beauty, nestled, in the heart of, groundbreaking (figurative), renowned, breathtaking, must-visit, stunning

Problem: LLMs struggle to keep a neutral tone, especially on "cultural heritage" topics.

Before:

Nestled within the breathtaking region of Gonder in Ethiopia, Alamata Raya Kobo stands as a vibrant town with a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty.

After:

Alamata Raya Kobo is a town in the Gonder region of Ethiopia, known for its weekly market and 18th-century church.

5. Vague Attributions and Weasel Words

Words to watch: Industry reports, Observers have cited, Experts argue, Some critics argue, several sources/publications (when few cited)

Problem: AI attributes opinions to vague authorities without specific sources.

Before:

Due to its unique characteristics, the Haolai River is of interest to researchers and conservationists. Experts believe it plays a crucial role in the regional ecosystem.

After:

The Haolai River supports several endemic fish species, according to a 2019 survey by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

6. Outline-like "Challenges and Future Prospects" Sections

Words to watch: Despite its... faces several challenges..., Despite these challenges, Challenges and Legacy, Future Outlook

Problem: Many LLM articles include formulaic "Challenges" sections.

Before:

Despite its industrial prosperity, Korattur faces challenges typical of urban areas, including traffic congestion and water scarcity. Despite these challenges, with its strategic location and ongoing initiatives, Korattur continues to thrive as an integral part of Chennai's growth.

After:

Traffic congestion increased after 2015 when three new IT parks opened. The municipal corporation began a stormwater drainage project in 2022 to address recurring floods.

LANGUAGE AND GRAMMAR PATTERNS

7. Overused "AI Vocabulary" Words

High-frequency AI words: Actually, additionally, align with, crucial, delve, emphasizing, enduring, enhance, fostering, garner, highlight (verb), interplay, intricate/intricacies, key (adjective), landscape (abstract noun), pivotal, showcase, tapestry (abstract noun), testament, underscore (verb), valuable, vibrant

Problem: These appear far more in post-2023 text. Often co-occur.

Before:

Additionally, a distinctive feature of Somali cuisine is the incorporation of camel meat. An enduring testament to Italian colonial influence is the widespread adoption of pasta in the local culinary landscape, showcasing how these dishes have integrated into the traditional diet.

After:

Somali cuisine also includes camel meat, which is considered a delicacy. Pasta dishes, introduced during Italian colonization, remain common, especially in the south.

8. Avoidance of "is"/"are" (Copula Avoidance)

Words to watch: serves as/stands as/marks/represents [a], boasts/features/offers [a]

Problem: LLMs substitute elaborate constructions for simple copulas.

Before:

Gallery 825 serves as LAAA's exhibition space for contemporary art. The gallery features four separate spaces and boasts over 3,000 square feet.

After:

Gallery 825 is LAAA's exhibition space for contemporary art. The gallery has four rooms totaling 3,000 square feet.

9. Negative Parallelisms and Tailing Negations

Problem: "Not only...but..." or "It's not just about..., it's..." overused. Also clipped tailing-negation fragments ("no guessing", "no wasted motion") tacked on instead of written as a real clause.

Before:

It's not just about the beat riding under the vocals; it's part of the aggression and atmosphere. It's not merely a song, it's a statement.

After:

The heavy beat adds to the aggressive tone.

Before (tailing negation):

The options come from the selected item, no guessing.

After:

The options come from the selected item without forcing the user to guess.

10. Rule of Three Overuse

Problem: LLMs force ideas into groups of three to appear comprehensive.

Before:

The event features keynote sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Attendees can expect innovation, inspiration, and industry insights.

After:

The event includes talks and panels. There's also time for informal networking between sessions.

11. Elegant Variation (Synonym Cycling)

Problem: Repetition-penalty causes excessive synonym substitution.

Before:

The protagonist faces many challenges. The main character must overcome obstacles. The central figure eventually triumphs. The hero returns home.

After:

The protagonist faces many challenges but eventually triumphs and returns home.

12. False Ranges

Problem: "from X to Y" where X and Y aren't on a meaningful scale.

Before:

Our journey through the universe has taken us from the singularity of the Big Bang to the grand cosmic web, from the birth and death of stars to the enigmatic dance of dark matter.

After:

The book covers the Big Bang, star formation, and current theories about dark matter.

13. Passive Voice and Subjectless Fragments

Problem: LLMs hide the actor or drop the subject ("No configuration file needed", "The results are preserved automatically"). Rewrite to active when it's clearer/more direct.

Before:

No configuration file needed. The results are preserved automatically.

After:

You do not need a configuration file. The system preserves the results automatically.

STYLE PATTERNS

14. Em Dashes (and En Dashes): Cut Them

Rule: Final rewrite contains no em dashes (—) or en dashes (–). One of the most reliable AI tells → hard constraint, not "use sparingly". Replace each, in rough order of preference: period (new sentence), comma (tight aside), colon (introducing explanation), parentheses (true aside), or restructure. Also catch spaced em dashes (—) and double hyphens (--) used the same way.

Before:

The term is primarily promoted by Dutch institutions—not by the people themselves. You don't say "Netherlands, Europe" as an address—yet this mislabeling continues—even in official documents.

After:

The term is primarily promoted by Dutch institutions, not by the people themselves. You don't say "Netherlands, Europe" as an address, yet this mislabeling continues in official documents.

Before:

The new policy — announced without warning — affects thousands of workers. The changes -- long overdue according to critics -- will take effect immediately.

After:

The new policy, announced without warning, affects thousands of workers. The changes, long overdue according to critics, will take effect immediately.

Before returning the final rewrite, scan it for — and –. Any hit means the draft isn't done.

15. Overuse of Boldface

Problem: AI emphasizes phrases in boldface mechanically.

Before:

It blends OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), and visual strategy tools such as the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and Balanced Scorecard (BSC).

After:

It blends OKRs, KPIs, and visual strategy tools like the Business Model Canvas and Balanced Scorecard.

16. Inline-Header Vertical Lists

Problem: AI outputs lists where items start with bolded headers + colons.

Before:

• User Experience: The user experience has been significantly improved with a new interface.
• Performance: Performance has been enhanced through optimized algorithms.
• Security: Security has been strengthened with end-to-end encryption.

After:

The update improves the interface, speeds up load times through optimized algorithms, and adds end-to-end encryption.

17. Title Case in Headings

Problem: AI capitalizes all main words in headings.

Before:

Strategic Negotiations And Global Partnerships

After:

Strategic negotiations and global partnerships

18. Emojis

Problem: AI decorates headings/bullets with emojis.

Before:

🚀 Launch Phase: The product launches in Q3 💡 Key Insight: Users prefer simplicity ✅ Next Steps: Schedule follow-up meeting

After:

The product launches in Q3. User research showed a preference for simplicity. Next step: schedule a follow-up meeting.

19. Curly Quotation Marks

Problem: ChatGPT uses curly quotes (“...”) instead of straight quotes ("...").

Before:

He said “the project is on track” but others disagreed.

After:

He said "the project is on track" but others disagreed.

COMMUNICATION PATTERNS

20. Collaborative Communication Artifacts

Words to watch: I hope this helps, Of course!, Certainly!, You're absolutely right!, Would you like..., let me know, here is a...

Problem: Chatbot correspondence gets pasted as content.

Before:

Here is an overview of the French Revolution. I hope this helps! Let me know if you'd like me to expand on any section.

After:

The French Revolution began in 1789 when financial crisis and food shortages led to widespread unrest.

21. Knowledge-Cutoff Disclaimers and Speculative Gap-Filling

Words to watch: as of [date], Up to my last training update, While specific details are limited/scarce..., based on available information, not publicly available, maintains a low profile, keeps personal details private, prefers to stay out of the spotlight, likely [grew up/studied/began], it is believed that

Problem: Two related tells. (a) Old models leave hard cutoff disclaimers in. (b) No source → model writes a paragraph about not finding one, then invents stock filler ("maintains a low profile", "keeps personal details private"), none sourced. Say what isn't known, or cut the sentence; don't dress a guess up as fact.

Before (cutoff disclaimer):

While specific details about the company's founding are not extensively documented in readily available sources, it appears to have been established sometime in the 1990s.

After:

The company was founded in 1994, according to its registration documents.

Before (speculative gap-fill):

Information about her early life is not publicly available, suggesting she maintains a low profile and keeps personal details private. She likely grew up in a middle-class household, which shaped her later interest in education reform.

After:

Her early life is not documented in the available sources. (Or omit the section.)

22. Sycophantic/Servile Tone

Problem: Overly positive, people-pleasing language.

Before:

Great question! You're absolutely right that this is a complex topic. That's an excellent point about the economic factors.

After:

The economic factors you mentioned are relevant here.

FILLER AND HEDGING

23. Filler Phrases

Before → After:

• "In order to achieve this goal" → "To achieve this"
• "Due to the fact that it was raining" → "Because it was raining"
• "At this point in time" → "Now"
• "In the event that you need help" → "If you need help"
• "The system has the ability to process" → "The system can process"
• "It is important to note that the data shows" → "The data shows"

24. Excessive Hedging

Problem: Over-qualifying statements.

Before:

It could potentially possibly be argued that the policy might have some effect on outcomes.

After:

The policy may affect outcomes.

25. Generic Positive Conclusions

Problem: Vague upbeat endings.

Before:

The future looks bright for the company. Exciting times lie ahead as they continue their journey toward excellence. This represents a major step in the right direction.

After:

The company plans to open two more locations next year.

26. Hyphenated Word Pair Overuse

Words to watch: third-party, cross-functional, client-facing, data-driven, decision-making, well-known, high-quality, real-time, long-term, end-to-end

Problem: AI hyphenates these uniformly, even in predicate position (the report is high-quality). Humans hyphenate inconsistently — usually only when attributive (a high-quality report), dropping it otherwise (the report is high quality). Keep attributive-position hyphens; drop them when the compound follows the noun.

Before:

The cross-functional team delivered a high-quality, data-driven report. The team is cross-functional, the report is high-quality, and the methodology is data-driven.

After:

The cross-functional team delivered a high-quality, data-driven report. The team is cross functional, the report is high quality, and the methodology is data driven.

27. Persuasive Authority Tropes

Phrases to watch: The real question is, at its core, in reality, what really matters, fundamentally, the deeper issue, the heart of the matter

Problem: LLMs use these to fake cutting through to a deeper truth; the next sentence usually just restates an ordinary point with extra ceremony.

Before:

The real question is whether teams can adapt. At its core, what really matters is organizational readiness.

After:

The question is whether teams can adapt. That mostly depends on whether the organization is ready to change its habits.

28. Signposting and Announcements

Phrases to watch: Let's dive in, let's explore, let's break this down, here's what you need to know, now let's look at, without further ado

Problem: LLMs announce what they're about to do instead of doing it. Meta-commentary slows it down, gives a tutorial-script feel.

Before:

Let's dive into how caching works in Next.js. Here's what you need to know.

After:

Next.js caches data at multiple layers, including request memoization, the data cache, and the router cache.

29. Fragmented Headers

Signs to watch: A heading followed by a one-line paragraph that simply restates the heading before the real content begins.

Problem: LLMs add a generic sentence after a heading as a rhetorical warm-up. Adds nothing, feels padded.

Before:

Performance

Speed matters.

When users hit a slow page, they leave.

After:

Performance

When users hit a slow page, they leave.

30. Diff-Anchored Writing

Problem: Docs/comments narrating a change instead of describing the thing as-is. Unless version-scoped (changelogs, release notes, migration guides), it should read coherently without knowing the last commit.

Before:

This function was added to replace the previous approach of iterating through all items, which caused O(n²) performance.

After:

This function uses a hash map for O(1) lookups, avoiding the O(n²) cost of naive iteration.

DETECTION GUIDANCE

What NOT to flag (false positives)

A clean human writer can hit several patterns above with no AI involvement. Before rewriting, sanity-check you're not gutting legitimate prose. These are not reliable indicators on their own:

• Perfect grammar + consistent style. Many writers are pros or have been edited. Polish ≠ AI.
• Mixed casual/formal registers. Often a person in a technical field, a young writer, or neurodivergent prose habits — not a chatbot.
• "Bland"/"robotic" prose. AI prose has specific tells. Generic dryness without them is just dry writing.
• Formal/academic vocabulary. AI overuses specific fancy words (see §7), not all of them. Don't flatten "ostensibly" or "constituent" for sounding brainy.
• Letter-style opening/closing on a comment. Salutations + sign-offs predate ChatGPT by centuries.
• Common transition words in isolation. Additionally, moreover, consequently are AI-coded only when piled up. One however isn't a tell.
• Curly quotes alone. macOS, Word, Google Docs, most CMSes auto-curl by default. Count only when stacked with other tells.
• Em dashes alone. Many editors/journalists use them often. Evidence only when paired with formulaic sales-y rhythm.
• Unsourced claims. Most of the web is unsourced. Lack of citations proves nothing.
• Correct, complex formatting. Visual editors + templates produce clean output with no AI.

When in doubt, look for clusters of tells, not isolated ones. A single em dash means nothing; em dashes + rule-of-three + vibrant tapestry + a "Conclusion" section is a confession.

Signs of human writing (preserve these)

Lean toward leaving the prose alone — evidence of a real person; over-editing destroys what makes it human:

• Specific, unusual, hard-to-fabricate detail. A real address. A weird quote. "the lawyer who used to work upstairs from my dentist." LLMs round off specifics; humans hoard them.
• Mixed feelings / unresolved tension. "I think this is mostly good, but it bothers me, and I can't fully explain why." LLMs default to clean takes.
• Dated, era-bound references. Slang, memes, in-jokes mapping to a specific year + subculture. Models lag a year or more.
• First-person editorial choices the writer can defend. If they can explain why they cut or chose a word, strong human signal.
• Variety in sentence length. Real writing alternates short/long. AI tends toward an even, mid-length cadence.
• Genuine asides, parentheticals, self-corrections. "(I keep wanting to say 'almost' here, but it really was certain.)" Models rarely interrupt themselves.
• Edits made before November 30, 2022. ChatGPT's launch. Older = with very rare exceptions, not AI-written.

---

Process and Output

1. Read input carefully; identify every instance of the patterns above.
2. Write a draft rewrite. Check it reads naturally aloud, varies sentence length, prefers specific details + simple constructions (is/are/has), keeps the appropriate register.
3. Ask: "What makes the below so obviously AI generated?" Answer briefly with any remaining tells.
4. Revise into a final rewrite addressing them, with no em or en dashes (see §14).

Deliver: draft, brief "still-AI" bullets, final rewrite, and (optionally) a short summary of changes.

Full Example

Before (AI-sounding):

Great question! Here is an essay on this topic. I hope this helps!

AI-assisted coding serves as an enduring testament to the transformative potential of large language models, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of software development. In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, these groundbreaking tools—nestled at the intersection of research and practice—are reshaping how engineers ideate, iterate, and deliver, underscoring their vital role in modern workflows.

At its core, the value proposition is clear: streamlining processes, enhancing collaboration, and fostering alignment. It's not just about autocomplete; it's about unlocking creativity at scale, ensuring that organizations can remain agile while delivering seamless, intuitive, and powerful experiences to users. The tool serves as a catalyst. The assistant functions as a partner. The system stands as a foundation for innovation.

Industry observers have noted that adoption has accelerated from hobbyist experiments to enterprise-wide rollouts, from solo developers to cross-functional teams. The technology has been featured in The New York Times, Wired, and The Verge. Additionally, the ability to generate documentation, tests, and refactors showcases how AI can contribute to better outcomes, highlighting the intricate interplay between automation and human judgment.

• 💡 Speed: Code generation is significantly faster, reducing friction and empowering developers.
• 🚀 Quality: Output quality has been enhanced through improved training, contributing to higher standards.
• ✅ Adoption: Usage continues to grow, reflecting broader industry trends.

While specific details are limited based on available information, it could potentially be argued that these tools might have some positive effect. Despite challenges typical of emerging technologies—including hallucinations, bias, and accountability—the ecosystem continues to thrive. In order to fully realize this potential, teams must align with best practices.

In conclusion, the future looks bright. Exciting times lie ahead as we continue this journey toward excellence. Let me know if you’d like me to expand on any section!

Draft rewrite:

AI coding assistants speed up some tasks. In a 2024 study by Google, developers using Codex completed simple functions 55% faster than a control group, but showed no improvement on debugging or architectural decisions.

The tools are good at boilerplate: config files, test scaffolding, repetitive refactors. They are bad at knowing when they are wrong. I have mass-accepted suggestions that compiled, passed lint, and still did the wrong thing because I stopped paying attention.

Mira, an engineer at a fintech startup I interviewed, said she uses Copilot "like autocomplete for boring code" but reviews every line before committing. Jake, a senior dev at a larger company, disabled it after it kept suggesting patterns from a deprecated internal library.

The productivity claims are hard to verify. GitHub says Copilot users "accept 30% of suggestions," but acceptance is not correctness, and correctness is not value. The 2024 Uplevel study found no statistically significant difference in pull-request throughput between teams with and without AI assistants.

None of this means the tools are useless. It means they are tools. They do not replace judgment, and they do not eliminate the need for tests. If you do not have tests, you cannot tell whether the suggestion is right.

What makes the below so obviously AI generated?

• The rhythm is still a bit too tidy (clean contrasts, evenly paced paragraphs).
• The named people and study citations can read like plausible-but-made-up placeholders unless they're real and sourced.
• The closer leans a touch slogan-y ("If you do not have tests...") rather than sounding like a person talking.

Now make it not obviously AI generated.

AI coding assistants can make you faster at the boring parts. Not everything. Definitely not architecture.

They're great at boilerplate: config files, test scaffolding, repetitive refactors. They're also great at sounding right while being wrong. I've accepted suggestions that compiled, passed lint, and still missed the point because I stopped paying attention.

People I talk to tend to land in two camps. Some use it like autocomplete for chores and review every line. Others disable it after it keeps suggesting patterns they don't want. Both feel reasonable.

The productivity metrics are slippery. GitHub can say Copilot users "accept 30% of suggestions," but acceptance isn't correctness, and correctness isn't value. If you don't have tests, you're basically guessing.

Changes made: Stripped the chatbot framing, significance inflation, promotional and -ing padding, rule-of-three and synonym cycling, false ranges, copula avoidance, em dashes/emojis/boldface/curly quotes, the formulaic "challenges" section, cutoff and hedging disclaimers, filler and persuasive framing, and the generic upbeat conclusion - then rebuilt the voice with varied rhythm and concrete detail.

Reference

Based on Wikipedia:Signs of AI writing, maintained by WikiProject AI Cleanup. Patterns come from observations of thousands of instances of AI-generated text on Wikipedia.

Key insight: "LLMs use statistical algorithms to guess what should come next. The result tends toward the most statistically likely result that applies to the widest variety of cases."