Word choice improver for sharper, more precise writing
Your draft says "very good", "a lot of things" and "made" six times, and it reads flat even though the ideas are fine. This prompt has your todo.is agent find vague, repeated and weak words, offer two or three precise alternatives for each in context, and leave every sentence you don't need to change alone.
The prompt
- Improve the word choice in this text: [TEXT]. It is a [TYPE OF TEXT] for [AUDIENCE]. Find: vague words (thing, stuff, good, very, a lot), weak verb + adverb pairs (walked slowly, said loudly), words repeated close together, filler (really, just, actually), and words that are too formal or too casual for the audience. For each, give 2 or 3 better options that fit the sentence and say which one you'd pick and why. Do not change sentence structure or meaning, and keep my voice. Words I want to keep: [WORDS TO KEEP]. Return a table of changes and the improved text with changes in bold.
What to change
- [TEXT]: Paste your text or attach a Word file.
- [TYPE OF TEXT]: e.g. "short story", "product description", "cover letter", "school essay".
- [AUDIENCE]: e.g. "hiring managers", "middle school readers", "customers buying hiking gear".
- [WORDS TO KEEP]: Brand names, technical terms or phrases you like, e.g. "keep 'cozy' and 'trail-tested'", or "none".
Example result
- Improved text (changes in bold)
- The jacket shrugs off light rain and packs into its own pocket. On a gusty ridge last spring, our tester stayed dry for three hours, and the hood stayed put without flapping. It's cozy without being bulky, so you can layer it over a fleece.
- Original
- The jacket is very good in light rain and it can go into its own pocket. On a really windy ridge last spring, our tester didn't get wet for three hours and the hood didn't move a lot. It's cozy without being bulky, so you can wear it over a fleece.
- Changes and options
- • "is very good in light rain" → shrugs off / repels / handles. *Pick:* "shrugs off" (active, shows the result).
- • "can go into" → packs into / folds into / stuffs into. *Pick:* "packs into" (what outdoor buyers search for).
- • "really windy" → gusty / blustery / wind-blasted. *Pick:* "gusty" (precise, no filler).
- • "didn't get wet" → stayed dry. Positive phrasing is shorter and stronger.
- • "didn't move a lot" → stayed put / stayed in place. *Pick:* "stayed put" (casual, fits the brand voice).
- • "wear it over" → layer it over. A term your audience uses.
- Patterns in your writing
- • "very" + adjective (6 times). Replace with one stronger word: very big → huge, very tired → exhausted.
- • "good" (5 times). Ask "good at what?" and name it: waterproof, light, warm.
- • Negative phrasing (3 times). "Didn't get wet" → "stayed dry".
- Kept as you asked
- • "cozy", "trail-tested"
How to do it with todo.is
- Paste your text and say what it is, who reads it and any words to keep.
- Send it to your todo.is agent, from the Today screen or a quick WhatsApp message.
- Pick from the options in the table; the bold version shows the agent's choice.
- Ask "remember my brand voice" and future texts follow the same tone.
Tips for a better result
- Strong verbs beat adverbs. "Sprinted" says more than "ran quickly" and uses fewer words.
- Don't swap every simple word. Plain words are often the right choice; aim for precise, not fancy.
- Say who the reader is. The best word for a scientist and for a teenager is often different.
- Read the new version aloud. If a word sounds unlike you, pick another option from the table.
word choice improver: FAQ
- How can I improve my word choice? Replace vague words with specific ones, use strong verbs instead of verb + adverb pairs, cut filler words, and avoid repeating the same word close together.
- Is a word choice improver the same as a thesaurus? No. A thesaurus lists synonyms out of context. This prompt picks words that fit the sentence, the tone and the reader, and explains why.
- Will it make my writing sound too fancy? Not if you say who the reader is. The prompt asks for precise words for your audience, not longer or rarer ones.
- Can I use it for an essay? Yes, for your own draft. It suggests options and you choose, so the writing stays yours. Check your school's AI policy.
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