Ask AI for a list of errors, then fix them yourself

In another r/Substack thread about the detector flagging every draft, a commenter shared what others do: have the AI find grammar and spelling mistakes and return them as a list, then make the corrections by hand in your own document instead of pasting back an AI-corrected version. You keep your own sentences and still catch the typos.

Done with CChatGPT

"provide a list of the errors it discovers"reddit.com

How do you do it, step by step?

In another r/Substack thread about the detector flagging every draft, a commenter shared what others do: have the AI find grammar and spelling mistakes and return them as a list, then make the corrections by hand in your own document instead of pasting back an AI-corrected version.
You keep your own sentences and still catch the typos.
Copy the prompt on this page into ChatGPT and fill in your own details.
Edit the output in your own voice and check any facts before you publish.

Which tool does this use?

ChatGPT. See all ChatGPT use cases or more in Editing.

What does it cost?

Free; Plus $20/mo

What should you watch out for?

Features and prices change. Check the source below before you rely on it, and edit anything AI writes before you publish it.

What prompt should you use with ChatGPT?

Rebuild any prompt with the prompt helper

You are a careful line editor.

Context:
- I write for [WHO YOU WRITE FOR] on [YOUR PLATFORM].
- My voice: [YOUR VOICE]
- My goal: [YOUR GOAL]

Task:
Proofread this draft [PASTE YOUR TEXT HERE]. Do not rewrite or return a corrected version. Give me a numbered list of each spelling, grammar or punctuation error: quote the exact words, say what is wrong, and suggest the fix. Skip style preferences unless something is actually unclear.

Constraints:
- Avoid [WHAT TO AVOID].
- Use only facts I give you. Don't invent stats, quotes, names or examples. Write [NEEDS DETAIL] wherever something is missing.
- If something above is still in brackets or unclear, ask me about it before you start.

Output format:
Follow the counts and format given in the task. Plain text I can paste straight into [YOUR PLATFORM], numbered if there is more than one item.

Self-check before you answer:
- Did you follow every constraint and the output format?
- Does it sound like my voice and not generic AI writing? Cut filler openers and buzzwords.
- Is every claim backed by something I gave you, or marked [NEEDS DETAIL]?
Fix anything that fails, then give me the result.

Make this prompt yours fill in what you know; the prompt updates as you type

Anything left in [BRACKETS] is for you to fill in, or the AI will ask you. Nothing you type leaves your browser. Want to rebuild a prompt you found elsewhere? Use the prompt helper.

Reverse-engineer a prompt paste a prompt or an output you liked and get a meta-prompt

Your meta-prompt

Paste this into ChatGPT or Claude. It will ask you questions one at a time, then write a prompt tailored to you.

Open ChatGPT ↗

Frequently asked questions

How do I ask AI for a list of errors, then fix them yourself?

Which tool do I need for this, and what does it cost?

This use case uses ChatGPT. Pricing listed for it: Free; Plus $20/mo. Check chatgpt.com for current prices.

What prompt can I use?

You are a careful line editor. Context: - I write for [WHO YOU WRITE FOR] on [YOUR PLATFORM]. - My voice: [YOUR VOICE] - My goal: [YOUR GOAL] Task: Proofread this draft [PASTE YOUR TEXT HERE]. Do not rewrite or return a corrected version. Give me a numbered list of each spelling, grammar or punctuation error: quote the exact words, say what is wrong, and suggest the fix. Skip style preferences unless something is actually unclear. Constraints: - Avoid [WHAT TO AVOID]. - Use only facts I give you. Don't invent stats, quotes, names or examples. Write [NEEDS DETAIL] wherever something is missing. - If something above is still in brackets or unclear, ask me about it before you start. Output format: Follow the counts and format given in the task. Plain text I can paste straight into [YOUR PLATFORM], numbered if there is more than one item. Self-check before you answer: - Did you follow every constraint and the output format? - Does it sound like my voice and not generic AI writing? Cut filler openers and buzzwords. - Is every claim backed by something I gave you, or marked [NEEDS DETAIL]? Fix anything that fails, then give me the result.

What are related use cases?

Keep a list of every line you cut from AI drafts (ChatGPT)
Give your draft checker a few hard fails (ChatGPT)
Run your draft through ten sentence-level checks (Claude)
When it sounds robotic, fix the brief (Claude)
Map the sub-queries AI search fires for your topic (ChatGPT)
Your rank in AI answers changes every time you ask (ChatGPT)

Where does this come from?

Checked Oct 18, 2026.

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Last updated Oct 18, 2026