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Negative Constraints: Your Secret Weapon for Better AI Output

Why telling AI what NOT to do is just as important as telling it what to do.

ProPrompt TeamJanuary 3, 20253 min read

The Overlooked Power of "Don't"

When people set up custom AI instructions, they focus almost entirely on what they want. But some of the most powerful instructions are about what you don't want.

This is called "negative constraints," and they're incredibly effective.

Why Negative Constraints Work

AI models are trained on vast amounts of text, which means they've absorbed all sorts of patterns—including ones you probably hate. Things like:

  • Starting emails with "I hope this email finds you well"
  • Using corporate jargon like "synergy" and "leverage"
  • Adding unnecessary emoji
  • Over-explaining obvious things
  • Being excessively verbose

    • Without explicit instructions to avoid these patterns, AI will use them. Frequently.

    Examples That Work

    Here are negative constraints that our users find most valuable:

    Communication:

  • "Never start messages with 'I hope this finds you well' or similar pleasantries"
  • "Don't use phrases like 'per our conversation' or 'as discussed'"
  • "Avoid saying 'Great question!' or 'That's a great point!'"

    • Tone:

  • "Never be sycophantic or overly complimentary"
  • "Don't hedge excessively with phrases like 'it seems' or 'perhaps'"
  • "Avoid being preachy or moralistic"

    • Formatting:

  • "Don't use emoji in professional contexts"
  • "Never use more than 3 bullet points"
  • "Avoid excessive use of bold or italics for emphasis"

    • Content:

  • "Don't include generic disclaimers unless specifically relevant"
  • "Never pad responses with obvious or unnecessary information"
  • "Avoid repeating my question back to me before answering"

    • The Jargon Kill List

    One of our favorite features in ProPrompt is the "jargon kill list"—words and phrases you want AI to avoid. Common additions include:

  • "Utilize" (just say "use")
  • "Leverage" (just say "use" or be specific)
  • "Synergy"
  • "Circle back"
  • "Touch base"
  • "Moving forward"
  • "At the end of the day"
  • "Low-hanging fruit"
  • "Bandwidth"

    • How to Implement

    Whether you use ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, or Gemini, add a section to your custom instructions called "Never do this" or "Things to avoid." Be specific and provide examples.

    Your AI, Your Rules

    The beauty of custom instructions is that you get to set the rules. If something annoys you in AI responses, add it to your negative constraints.

    Generate your ProPrompt and we'll help you identify and implement the negative constraints that matter most for your work.

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