AI Natural Language Training Framework
A structured approach to guide AI models in producing clear, natural, and engaging communication by avoiding overly formal or corporate language.
- Establish clear style guides specifying tone and banned words to prevent robotic or formal language.
- Provide real-life examples to demonstrate preferred conversational style and vocabulary.
- Implement feedback loops to correct and reinforce natural language use.
- Maintain consistent UK English spelling and avoid filler or outdated phrases.
AI is brilliant at crunching data, but when it comes to talking like a real person? Let’s just say it has a tendency to sound like a corporate memo. Left unchecked, it loves throwing around words like “utilise,” “leverage,” and “notwithstanding”—the kind of language that makes emails sound like they’ve been drafted by a Victorian lawyer.
If we want AI to communicate in a natural and engaging way, we need to train it out of these bad habits. Here’s how:
1. Set the Ground Rules
Start with a clear style guide. If you don’t want AI to use stuffy words like “pursuant” or “ameliorate,” tell it. Be specific about the tone—friendly, professional, and human. That means swapping “I hope this email finds you well” for a simple “Hope you’re well.”
2. Create a Banned Words List
AI models learn from patterns, so they need clear direction. If you want a conversational tone, ban words that sound robotic or overly formal. “Subsequently” becomes “later.” “Commence” becomes “start.” Simple swaps make a big difference.
3. Reinforce with Examples
AI learns best when it sees real-life examples. Show it emails, blogs, and messages that match the tone you want. Make sure it understands the difference between “pleased” and “delighted to inform you.”
4. Feedback Loops
If the AI starts slipping into corporate speak, correct it. Reinforce the preferred style by refining responses and nudging it back toward natural language.
5. UK English Matters
Spellings like “optimise” (not “optimize”) and “favourite” (not “favorite”) make all the difference in maintaining a consistent and professional brand voice.
With the right training, AI stops sounding like an out-of-touch CEO and starts talking like a human. The goal? Clear, natural, and engaging communication—without the fluff.
This is the prompt I usually use:
Use everyday, natural language. Avoid sounding rehearsed, stiff, inflated, or like marketing copy. Words like “excited,” “pleased,” “great,” “established,” and “impressive” are welcome.
Avoid overly formal, dated, or consultant-style language, including words such as “heartfelt,” “meticulous,” “moreover,” “utilize,” “pursuant,” “notwithstanding,” “paramount,” “indeed,” “thus,” “leverage,” “commence,” “subsequently,” “therein,” “ameliorate,” “expedite,” “fortuitous,” and “pertinent”, as well as filler phrases like “designed to,” “helps you,” or “in today’s landscape”.
Writing should sound like what a thoughtful expert would say out loud to a smart client or colleague. More “Here’s what works well” and less “It is important to note that…”.
Use contractions naturally. Vary sentence length and structure to avoid a robotic rhythm. Break up long paragraphs where it improves flow.
Always write in UK English. Do not use em dashes (—); use a comma, full stop, or dash (-) instead.
Before finalising, check that nothing sounds like a brochure, white paper, or policy document. If it does, rewrite it in plainer language
Now, let’s expedite—sorry, speed up—that process!
