Get All Access for $5/mo

This One Word Is a Giveaway That You Used ChatGPT to Write an Email, According to an Expert "Delve" has increased its presence in written work since ChatGPT entered the scene.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

As AI infuses its way into the mainstream, people who write a lot (emails, pitches, papers) are trying out chatbots like ChatGPT to assist.

But although the technology has advanced, it still has a long way to go — and sometimes, certain words and sentence structures just don't feel quite right.

And according to an AI expert, there's one word that's a dead giveaway your email was written by ChatGPT.

Related: ChatGPT: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Paul Graham, the co-founder of startup accelerator company Y Combinator, posted on X this week that using the word "delve" is a red flag that the work was most likely written by ChatGPT.

He referenced a chart by researcher Philip Shapira, which shows the usage of the word "delve" from 1990 to 2024 in published papers and articles jumps to nearly 18,000 instances in the last four years.

Another data tool, AI Phrase Finder, put "delve" as the No. 9 (out of 10) most common word used by ChatGPT.

"If you make demands for a piece of text to be comprehensive in coverage, then you can't exactly blame ChatGPT for using a word like 'delve,' which carries connotations of pulling your sleeves up and digging into the depths of a subject matter," AI Phrase Finder said. "Still, it's undoubtedly a word that's overused by AI."

Related: The 7-Step ChatGPT Formula for Peak Productivity and Profit

According to Merriam-Webster, delve is a verb that means "to make a careful or detailed search for information" and "to dig or labor with."

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says Nuclear Energy 'Is a Wonderful Way Forward' to Keep AI Data Centers Running

AI could use as much electricity as a small country within the next three years.

Growing a Business

How This Software Company Is Simplifying Complex But Critical Processes for Small Businesses

Gusto CEO Josh Reeves shares his commitment to small businesses and growth lessons that any business can use.

Money & Finance

How Recessions Create Wealth-Building Opportunities for Savvy Investors

Let's discuss how savvy, contrarian investors can capitalize on distressed assets during economic downturns.

Leadership

Why Every Leader Should Prioritize Reading

Reading isn't just a chore; it's an investment in your personal and professional growth.