Why Every Content Team Needs a Library of Overused AI Phrases
AI writes fast, but it’s predictable. That’s why every content team needs a library of overused AI phrases - to protect brand voice, speed up editing, and avoid generic clichés that kill originality.
If you’ve spent some time editing an AI-assisted draft, you probably saw the same sentences over and over again
AI may be able to write quickly, but it’s also predictable. It leans on the same comfortable, safe, overly polished phrases - the kind of stuff that might sound fine to a first-time reader but screams machine-generated to an experienced editor.
That’s why every content team working with AI needs a library of overused AI phrases.
It’s not about being picky. It’s about protecting your brand voice, cutting down editing time, and making sure the final product sounds like you.
Key Takeaways
- AI tends to repeat generic, formal phrases because they’re common in its training data.
- A shared overused-phrase library helps editors spot and replace AI “tells” quickly and consistently.
- Organize phrases by category (openers, transitions, buzzwords, closers) for faster scanning during edits.
- Provide human alternatives so junior editors and freelancers can rewrite confidently in your brand voice.
- Review and update quarterly to catch new AI habits and keep guidance relevant.
Why AI Repeats the Same Phrases
AI is trained on massive amounts of text (blog posts, news articles, marketing copy, social posts), and it identifies patterns in that data.
When you give it a prompt, it reaches for the patterns it “knows” will work. And since generic, formal, and cliché phrases are so common in its training data, they rise to the top.
The result? You get the same openers, transitions, and buzzwords over and over.
Examples editors see all the time:
- “In today’s fast-paced world…”
- “Harness the power of…”
- “It’s no secret that…”
- “Cutting-edge solutions…”
- “Revolutionize the way you…”
To the untrained eye, they’re harmless. But to a brand that’s worked hard to develop a unique voice, they’re a tone killer.
Why a Phrase Library Is a Game-Changer for Editors
When you’re in the middle of an edit, you shouldn’t have to pause and wonder, Hmm, does this sound like AI?
A well-maintained library of overused phrases turns that guesswork into a quick scan:
- See it - check it - replace it.
- No overthinking. No second-guessing.
And if your whole editorial team is using the same library, you get consistency. Everyone’s catching the same issues, and you’re not relying on individual memory.
This consistency is huge when working with multiple editors, freelancers, or content managers who might not know your brand voice as well as you do.
How to Build Your Overused AI Phrase Library
You don’t need to build it all at once. Start small and let it grow over time.
1. Audit Your Past AI Content
Look at AI-assisted drafts from the last few months. Highlight phrases that:
- Sound overly formal or robotic
- Feel like generic filler
- Show up repeatedly across different pieces
These are your “usual suspects.”
2. Organize by Category
Group your phrases into buckets, like:
- Openers: “In today’s digital landscape…”
- Transitions: “That being said…”
- Buzzwords: “Innovative solutions,” “Game-changer”
- Closers: “In conclusion,” “The bottom line is…”
This makes it faster to scan during edits.
3. Write the “Human” Alternative
For each overused phrase, give an example of how you’d rewrite it to match your brand’s tone.
❌ “Harness the power of…”
✅ “Use tools that actually make your work easier.”
These alternatives are gold for junior editors or freelancers who may not have your instincts yet.
Where to Store Your Phrase Library
If your library is buried in someone’s personal Google Doc, it’s useless to the rest of the team. It needs to be easy to find and always up to date.
This is where tools like EasyContent come in handy. Every project in EasyContent has a dedicated Documentation section where you can store things like your overused AI phrase library. You can even break it into sections by content type (blog posts, newsletters, landing pages), so your guidance is context-specific.
If you want it front and center during the writing process, add it directly into your content templates. That way, writers and editors see it while they work, not after.
Maintaining the Library Over Time
AI habits change. As models evolve, the “usual suspects” today may not be the same ones you’ll see six months from now.
To keep your library useful:
- Review it quarterly
- Remove phrases that are no longer common
- Add new ones as they appear in drafts
- Share updates with the team immediately
With EasyContent, updates to documentation or templates are instantly available to everyone - no chasing people down with new links.
How It Fits Into Your Editing Workflow
Here’s how a phrase library streamlines your AI editing process:
- Initial scan: Check for repeated or banned phrases.
- Quick replacements: Use your alternatives list to rewrite them on the spot.
- Deep edit: Once the AI “tells” are gone, edit for structure, clarity, and voice.
The result? You’re spending less time de-robotizing and more time improving substance.
Final Thoughts
As AI models evolve, one overused phrase will be swapped with a different one, but with a solid (regularly updated) library, editors can work faster, with more confidence, and with a sharper eye for brand voice.
You don’t need to fight AI. You just need to train your team to spot its quirks instantly and fix them with minimal effort.
Because the less time you spend editing out “in today’s fast-paced world,” the more time you have to create content that stands out.
