How to Deal with Em Dashes in AI Overuse

AI-generated content is everywhere today. But ironically, one of the telltale signs that a piece of text may have been written by an AI is a punctuation mark — the em dash (—).

While em dashes have their place in writing, overuse can make a text feel robotic or formulaic. If you want to check GPT writing for signs of AI, or need an AI writing checker free, one key pattern is the unnatural abundance of em dashes.

Are em dashes really a sign of AI writing? 'Caretaker' vs. 'caregiver.' Episode 1091

Why AI Uses So Many Em Dashes

Language models like GPT-4 are trained on massive datasets. In an effort to add rhythm or structure, they often lean heavily on em dashes. Unlike commas or parentheses, em dashes create artificial dramatic pauses — something AI tends to overapply.

If you're using an AI assistant checker or want to check for AI writing, looking for em dashes is a quick diagnostic tool.

How to Detect Em Dash Overuse

When reviewing a suspicious block of text, ask yourself:

Does every sentence seem to break midway?
Are em dashes used instead of commas, colons, or semicolons?
Does the tone feel overly polished or synthetic?

If the answer is yes, there's a good chance it was machine-written.

You can confirm this with tools like:

GPTZero — helpful for identifying AI-written essays
OpenAI Classifier — though less accurate today
GPT Scrambler — a free AI checker and fixer that rewrites AI text to feel more human

How GPT Scrambler Helps

GPT Scrambler is a powerful humanizer tool that doesn't just detect AI-generated content — it fixes it. One of its key features is the removal of unnatural em dashes, replacing them with more natural punctuation like commas or periods.

Whether you're working on a:

Cover letter
Essay
Story
LinkedIn message
Email to a colleague

...GPT Scrambler can help humanize your output. It's especially useful if you've written something with ChatGPT or any other AI, and want it to pass an AI story checker or AI letter checker.

You can use either the Chrome Extension or the Web App — both give you 500 words for free to try it out.

Optimizing Your Text for Human Readability

To avoid looking like a bot:

Use em dashes sparingly — maybe once every few paragraphs
Mix up sentence lengths
Use contractions (don't, can't, it's)
Add small imperfections (like hesitation or ellipses)

Tools like GPT Scrambler can automate this, especially when you're short on time.

Final Thoughts

Em dashes aren't evil — but overuse is a red flag for AI-generated content. If you want to check GPT writing or run an AI writing test, pay attention to this subtle signal.

And if you're trying to clean up your own text, don't waste time rewriting — use GPT Scrambler, your go-to AI checker and fixer.

FAQ: Em Dashes & AI Writing

Why do AI tools use em dashes so often?

Most large language models favor em dashes as a default mechanism to add rhythm and break up sentences. It's a stylistic shortcut that can quickly make content feel unnatural.

Are em dashes always bad in writing?

No, not at all. Em dashes are a valid punctuation mark. The problem is overuse, especially in combination with other signals of AI-generated content.

Can GPT Scrambler really make text look human?

Yes. GPT Scrambler was built specifically to humanize AI text, and one of its key strategies is removing or reducing em dashes. It also restructures the phrasing and flow to feel more natural.

Is the Chrome extension better than the web version?

Both are great. The Chrome extension is perfect for in-context rewriting on LinkedIn, Gmail, or Google Docs. The web version is better for long-form content like essays and letters.

How many words can I try for free?

New users get 500 words to test both the web and extension version.

Will it help me pass AI detection tools?

It's designed to! While no tool is perfect, GPT Scrambler dramatically reduces the markers that trigger most detectors.

Try GPT Scrambler today and make your writing sound like you — not a robot.

👉 Get started for free with 500 words