How do I get ChatGPT to stop writing so formally and sound more like me?

You can make ChatGPT write less formally by giving it a sample of your own writing and asking it to match that style, plus using specific tone instructions like "write like you're explaining this to a coworker over coffee." The single most effective trick I've found is pasting 2-3 paragraphs of something you've actually written and saying "match this tone exactly." ChatGPT is surprisingly good at mimicking style when it has a concrete reference. For example, if your natural voice uses short punchy sentences and contractions, the AI will pick up on that pattern and carry it through the rest of the response. Without a sample, the model defaults to a neutral, slightly academic register because that's the safest middle ground. You can also try adding phrases like "keep it casual," "no corporate speak," or "write at a 7th grade reading level" to your prompt. A less obvious tip: tell the AI what to avoid, not just what to do. Saying "don't use words like leverage, utilize, or streamline" is often more effective than saying "be casual." If the output still sounds stiff, ask it to rewrite the same content as if it were a text message to a friend, then dial it back one notch. That two-step process usually lands in the sweet spot between too formal and too sloppy. For a deeper dive, see our guide on fixing AI writing that sounds too formal (/blog/ai-writing-sounds-too-formal). **Related**: Why does ChatGPT always sound like a robot? | Can ChatGPT learn my writing style permanently?