Manuscript Analysis Free · in-browser · optional cloud history

Filter Word Finder

Find crutch words AI prose overuses — very, really, just, suddenly, felt — with category filters, density scoring, and rewrite tips.

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Paste your text above, then click Analyze — or try Sample.

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About this tool

Filter words weaken fiction by adding distance between the reader and the scene. This free filter word finder scans for crutch phrases AI writing often overuses — including very, really, just, suddenly, felt, seemed, and more — then groups hits by category with rewrite tips and density scoring.

Why manuscript analysis matters for fiction

Rule-based analyzers catch patterns human eyes skim past—especially in AI drafts where filter words, adverbs, and passive voice cluster predictably. Use metrics to prioritize revision, not to flatten your voice. Run a chapter first, fix the worst offenders, then scan the full manuscript.

Editing guides · AI manuscript editing

How to use it

  1. Paste your chapter or manuscript.
  2. Click Analyze to scan for filter words and phrases.
  3. Use category pills to focus (amplifiers, sensing, fillers…).
  4. Read rewrite tips and the highlighted excerpt.
  5. Optionally skip quoted dialogue, then aim for fewer than ~8 hits per 1,000 words.

Tips for fiction authors

  • "Just" and "really" are the most common AI crutch words. Search-and-delete them first for the biggest improvement per edit.
  • Keep "felt" and "seemed" when writing an unreliable narrator — distance is sometimes the point.
  • Replace "very + adjective" with a stronger single word: "very tired" becomes "exhausted," "very angry" becomes "furious."
  • In dialogue, some filter words sound natural. Cut them from narration but keep character voice authentic.

Common questions

What are filter words in fiction?

Words and phrases that filter the reader's experience through the narrator — like "she felt," "very," "suddenly," or "seemed to." Cutting them often strengthens prose.

Why do AI drafts have so many filter words?

Large language models default to cautious, distanced narration. A filter-word pass is one of the fastest AI draft cleanup steps.

Should I remove every filter word?

No. Use the report to find clusters and overuse. Occasional filter words are fine when they serve rhythm or voice.

Related guides

Why AI Writes Every Character Wanting the Same Thing How to Use AI to Diagnose and Fix Sentence-Level Monotony How to Use AI to Write a Character's Interior Monologue Style How to Control AI's Punctuation Habits to Match Your Authorial Voice