AI-generated text has seen substantial progress, but it frequently displays certain patterns that make it identifiable compared to human-written content. One significant issue is the overuse of gerunds and present participles, which play a major role in sentence construction and idea expression.
This habit impacts readability, introduces monotony, and diminishes coherence in text. Examining how AI systems create language reveals common pitfalls related to the excessive use of gerunds and participles.
So, the question is, as usuall: how to make AI-generated text more precise and human-like in tone and style.
What Are Gerunds and Present Participles
Gerunds function as nouns, formed by adding “-ing” to a verb. Examples include:
- Running ranks among my favorite hobbies.
- Reading improves vocabulary skills.
Present participles, by contrast, serve as adjectives or aid in continuous verb forms, also ending in “-ing.”
Examples include:
- The glowing light illuminated the room.
- She is writing her report.
Present participle as part of a participial phrase adds details or context to a sentence. This phrase acts like an adjective; it describes a noun within the sentence. For example, “The dog barked loudly, startling the birds nearby.”
(By the way, this formula – “subject+action, present participle+additional elaboration” is one of the most widely used sentence structures in AI-generated texts).
Both forms are common and essential for grammar. However, extreme reliance on them in AI-generated text leads to stiff sentence structures. This overuse makes the text harder to follow and less smooth in its delivery. Not to mention its generic appeal.
Impact on Readability
Excessive use of gerunds and present participles in AI-generated text tends to negatively impact readability. These structures can cause repetitive, overly complex sentences, and confuse reader.
Sentences packed with gerunds, such as, “Prioritizing goals while balancing deadlines improves outcomes,” feel cumbersome.
Also, overuse of participles in sentences like, “Walking and observing every detail of the street,” seems unnecessary.
It breaks the natural flow and makes sentences awkward or monotonous. By restructuring them to use finite verbs or clearer syntax, these issues dissipate. Conciseness and varied structures help make AI-generated text more reader-friendly and less generic.
Why AI Overuses Gerunds and Present Participles
Gerunds and present participles are common in English, so they frequently appear in AI outputs. This happens because AI tends to use grammatical structures that connect ideas, but this approach can reduce readability.
The preference for these structures stems from the statistical nature of AI language models, which rely on patterns learned during training rather than intuitive judgment. As a result, AI often generates text that feels formulaic, with limited variation in sentence structures.
This reliance highlights one of the challenges in making AI-written content match more closely with human writing. This is particularly evident in terms of style and fluidity.
Strategies to Reduce Overuse
Reducing the overuse of gerunds and present participles in AI-generated text requires deliberate strategies. These strategies aim to improve flow and mitigate monotony by utilizing varied and precise linguistic constructs. They also help AI-text align with natural human expression.
Use Finite Verbs Instead of Gerunds and Participles
Finite verbs provide a clearer and more direct alternative to gerunds and participles.
They help to construct sentences that have defined actions and reduce ambiguity as well as unnecessary complexity.
- Instead of, “Optimizing projects is key to meeting deadlines,” use, “Teams must optimize projects to meet deadlines.”
- Instead of, “Analyzing results helps in decision-making,” write, “We analyze results to make informed decisions.”
This shift to finite verbs places emphasis on specific actions and creates text that feels active and purposeful.
Break Down Compound Sentences
AI-written text often strings together multiple ideas and, in doing so, relies heavily on gerunds and participles for fluidity. Breaking down such sentences avoids redundancy and improves understandability.
- “Achieving targets requires assessing risks and managing expectations,” split it into two: “To achieve targets, we assess risks. We also manage expectations.”
- “Balancing resources while evaluating costs improves outcomes,” rephrase as “Resource balance is essential. Analysis of costs leads to better result”.
Replace Participial Phrases with Subordinate Clauses
Participial phrases often appear in AI text to introduce or elaborate on actions. They potentially disrupt sentence flow or lead to over-complication. Subordinate clauses provide a grammatical alternative that maintains readability.
- “Developing software while managing timelines adds to project challenges,” rewrite as, “When teams develop software, managing timelines adds challenges.”
- Instead of, “Walking through complex issues, they struggled to arrive at a consensus,” try, “As they worked through complex issues, they struggled to reach a consensus.”
Subordinate clauses integrate smoothly into sentences, so expressions sound more natural.
Convert Gerunds to Noun Forms When Appropriate
Replacement of gerunds with their corresponding noun forms can streamline text. This guarantees sentences appear more polished and concise.
- “Planning thoroughly is essential to ensuring successful execution,” rewrite as “Thorough planning ensures successful execution.”
- “Improving methods saves time,” rearrange to “Method improvement saves time.”
Noun forms lend weight and directness to ideas without repetitive “-ing” constructions.
Practical Editing Techniques
Upgrading AI outputs requires targeted revision methods. Editors should aim to reduce repetitive patterns, restructure sentences and choose precise alternatives.
For example:
- Rewrite complex clauses. Replace “Combining efforts by managing projects ensures success” with “Collaborated efforts ensure project success.”
- Shorten lengthy sentences. Change “By analyzing results and refining strategies, improvements are evident” to “Analysis and strategy refinement drive improvements.”
- Consolidate ideas by using simpler expressions. Instead of “Handling multiple tasks while securing quality adds complexity,” use “Effective task management minimizes challenges.”
Thorough editing encourages variety, coherence, and reader engagement.
Long Story Short
Reducing the overuse of gerunds and present participles in AI-generated texts results in more precise and human-like writing. Overreliance on these structures diminishes coherence and creates monotonous text.
There are some great solutions to these problems:
| Action | Sentence Before Action | Sentence After Action |
|---|---|---|
| Use finite verbs instead of gerunds and participles | “Cooking dinner is relaxing after a long day.” | “We cook dinner to relax after a long day.” |
| “Jogging every morning contributes to good health.” | “People jog every morning to stay healthy.” | |
| Break down compound sentences | “Waking up early means preparing breakfast and getting ready for work.” | “We wake up early to prepare breakfast. Then we get ready for work.” |
| “Cleaning the house while caring for a child takes time.” | “Caring for a child takes time. Cleaning the house demands focus.” | |
| Replace participial phrases with subordinate clauses | “Walking home after work, she thought about her plans.” | “As she walked home after work, she thought about her plans.” |
| “Reading the instructions carefully, he fixed the device.” | “When he read the instructions carefully, he was able to fix the device.” | |
| Convert gerunds to noun forms | “Running errands requires skill in time management.” | “Successful errand management requires good time skills.” |
| “Planning trips makes traveling easier.” | “Trip planning makes travel easier.” | |
| Rewrite complex clauses | “Saving money by spending less ensures financial security.” | “Spending less ensures financial security through savings.” |
| Shorten lengthy sentences | “By cleaning the kitchen and setting the table, dinner preparation is complete.” | “Clean the kitchen. Set the table. Dinner is ready.” |
| Consolidate ideas into simpler expressions | “Balancing a busy schedule while finding time for hobbies leads to a fuller life.” | “A balanced schedule and hobbies create a fuller life.” |
