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How to Use AI to Correct Filler Words and Tone
In today's fast‑paced professional world, every word counts. Whether you are polishing a resume, drafting a cover letter, or posting on LinkedIn, filler words and an inconsistent tone can dilute your message. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a reliable partner for writers who want to tighten prose and convey the right voice. In this guide we will explore how to use AI to correct filler words and tone step by step, provide checklists, and answer the most common questions job‑seekers ask.
How to Use AI to Correct Filler Words and Tone: Why It Matters
Filler words—such as "actually," "basically," "just," and "you know"—add noise without adding value. A study by Grammarly found that over 30 % of professional emails contain at least one filler that reduces perceived competence. Tone, on the other hand, shapes how readers feel about you. A friendly yet confident tone can open doors, while a vague or overly formal tone may close them.
By eliminating filler and calibrating tone, you:
- Increase readability – shorter sentences keep the reader’s attention.
- Boost credibility – concise language signals expertise.
- Improve ATS performance – applicant tracking systems favor clear, keyword‑rich content.
Resumly’s AI suite already helps you with these challenges. The Buzzword Detector spots overused phrases, while the Resume Readability Test scores your tone. Let’s dive into the mechanics.
Understanding Filler Words
Filler words are unnecessary lexical items that do not change the meaning of a sentence. They often appear when writers are unsure or trying to sound informal. Common culprits include:
- actually, basically, literally, honestly, just, really, kind of, sort of, you know, like.
Quick Identification
- Read aloud – filler words become obvious when spoken.
- Highlight verbs – filler often sits between the subject and the verb.
- Use AI detectors – tools like Resumly’s Buzzword Detector flag them automatically.
Detecting Tone Issues
Tone is the emotional coloring of your text. It can be formal, conversational, persuasive, or neutral. AI can analyze tone by comparing word choice, sentence length, and punctuation patterns against a tone model.
- Positive tone uses active verbs and optimistic adjectives.
- Negative tone leans on passive voice and weak qualifiers.
- Neutral tone balances both, ideal for most business documents.
Resumly’s Resume Readability Test provides a tone score (0‑100) and suggests adjustments.
AI Tools for Editing Filler and Tone
| Tool | What It Does | Ideal Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Buzzword Detector | Highlights filler and buzzwords | Resume bullet points |
| Resume Readability Test | Scores readability and tone | Full‑page cover letters |
| ATS Resume Checker | Ensures keyword density and clarity | Job applications |
| AI Cover Letter Builder | Generates tone‑consistent drafts | Cold‑reach outreach |
All tools are accessible from the Resumly dashboard and integrate with the Chrome extension for real‑time editing.
Step‑by‑Step Guide: Using Resumly AI to Clean Up Your Writing
- Upload your document – Drag your resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn summary into the Resumly editor.
- Run the Buzzword Detector – Click Analyze; the AI highlights filler words in yellow.
- Accept or reject suggestions – Hover over each highlight to see a concise alternative (e.g., replace "just" with nothing).
- Check tone with the Readability Test – Press Tone Score; a gauge shows whether you are too formal or too casual.
- Adjust tone manually – Follow AI suggestions such as swapping "utilized" for "used" or adding a confident opening sentence.
- Run the ATS Resume Checker – Ensure the cleaned text still contains the required keywords for the target job.
- Export – Download the polished version or push directly to LinkedIn via the Chrome Extension.
Pro tip: Combine the Buzzword Detector with the Job‑Match feature to keep industry‑specific language while removing generic filler.
Checklist for Polished Writing
- Remove all highlighted filler words.
- Ensure each sentence starts with a strong verb.
- Keep sentence length under 20 words on average.
- Verify tone score is between 70‑85 for most professional documents.
- Run the ATS checker to confirm keyword presence.
- Read the final draft aloud to catch any lingering awkwardness.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Use AI suggestions as a guide, not a replacement.
- Keep your personal voice; AI should enhance, not erase it.
- Test the final version with a human reviewer.
Don’t:
- Over‑sanitize; a completely sterile text can feel robotic.
- Rely solely on AI for industry‑specific jargon.
- Ignore the context of the role you are applying for.
Mini‑Case Study: Transforming a Resume Summary
Original Summary:
"I am a results‑driven marketing specialist who actually loves creating campaigns that basically increase brand awareness and just drive sales."
AI‑Powered Revision:
"I am a results‑driven marketing specialist passionate about creating campaigns that increase brand awareness and drive sales."
What changed?
- Removed actually, basically, just.
- Swapped loves for passionate (more professional).
- Kept the core achievement focus.
The revised version scores 84 on the Readability Test versus 62 originally, and the ATS checker flags 0 filler words.
Integrating AI Editing into Your Job Search Workflow
- Draft – Write your resume or cover letter in any editor.
- Run AI cleanup – Use Resumly’s free Buzzword Detector and Readability Test.
- Tailor – Apply the Job‑Match tool to insert role‑specific keywords.
- Apply – Use the Auto‑Apply feature to submit polished applications directly from Resumly.
- Track – Monitor responses with the Application Tracker.
By embedding AI checks at the beginning of each application cycle, you reduce the time spent on manual proofreading by up to 45 % (Resumly internal data, 2024).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can AI detect filler words in non‑English resumes?
Yes. Resumly’s language model supports Spanish, French, and German, flagging filler in each language.
2. How does AI decide the appropriate tone?
The model compares your text against a corpus of high‑performing professional documents and suggests adjustments to match the desired formality level.
3. Will AI replace my personal writing style?
No. AI offers suggestions; you retain final control. Think of it as a smart editor.
4. Is the Buzzword Detector free?
The basic version is free on the Resumly website. Premium users get unlimited scans and deeper analytics.
5. How often should I run AI checks?
Before every major submission—resume updates, cover letters, LinkedIn posts, and even email outreach.
6. Does AI help with interview scripts?
Absolutely. The Interview Practice feature analyses your spoken answers for filler and tone, giving real‑time feedback.
7. Can I integrate Resumly AI with Google Docs?
Yes, via the Chrome Extension. Highlight text in Docs and click the Resumly icon to run a quick analysis.
Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Concise, Confident Communication
By following this guide, you now know how to use AI to correct filler words and tone across every career document. The combination of Resumly’s Buzzword Detector, Readability Test, and ATS Checker gives you a powerful, repeatable workflow that saves time and boosts your professional image. Remember to run the AI tools early, review the suggestions, and keep your authentic voice intact. When you consistently produce clear, tone‑appropriate content, hiring managers—and AI recruiters—will notice.
Ready to experience the difference? Try the free tools on the Resumly homepage, explore the AI Resume Builder, and watch your applications soar.
Explore more: AI Resume Builder | Buzzword Detector | Career Guide
