Have you ever tried asking something to an AI and ended up with an answer that just didn’t make sense for what you needed? It’s that moment when you wonder if the AI really understood you—or maybe you even think it’s just not that smart, right? Honestly, you’re far from alone. This kind of thing happens to a lot of people. Most of the time, the issue isn’t with the AI itself, but with the way we ask our questions—the so-called prompt. If you’ve been through this, take it easy: it’s super common. Plenty of folks get stuck at this step, but the best part is that it’s actually pretty simple to turn things around with a few small changes.
Feeling a bit unsure or lost when you’re writing commands for an Artificial Inteligence is completely normal, especially if you’re just starting out. No one likes to feel misunderstood—it can be really discouraging. But the truth is, just by making a few small adjustments in how you phrase your prompts, you’ll start to see much better results. My goal here is to walk with you through the most common AI prompt mistakes and, in a simple and friendly way, show how you can avoid each one. That way, your chats with artificial intelligence can become much smoother, lighter, and actually helpful for what you need.
Why Are Prompts So Important?
Before we dive into the mistakes, it’s worth understanding why prompts matter so much. The prompt is your command, the request you make to the AI. It’s like talking to someone who knows everything, but needs you to be clear and direct. If your request isn’t well explained, the answer might come out confusing or incomplete.
At first, it’s normal to think any sentence will do. But just like in a real conversation, the clearer you are, the better the other person understands. That’s why investing in prompt tips is key to getting better results.
The Most Common Mistakes When Creating Prompts for AI
1. Lack of Clarity and Objectivity
One of the most frequent ChatGPT problems is when the command is too vague. If you write something too broad, the AI can interpret it in many ways and end up giving you an answer that’s nothing like what you wanted.
Everyday example:
You ask: “Tell me about coffee.”
The AI might talk about the history of coffee, its benefits, types of beans, recipes… But what if you only wanted to know about coffee’s effects on health?
How to avoid it:
Be specific. Instead of “Tell me about coffee,” try: “What are the effects of coffee on people’s health?”
2. Overly Long or Confusing Commands
Sometimes, in an effort to explain everything, the prompt gets too long and loses focus. This makes it harder for the AI to understand.
Example:
“I want to know about coffee, but also about tea, and how they affect health, and if it’s good to drink both together, and if there are any contraindications, and also recipes.”
How to avoid it:
Break it down into steps. Ask about coffee first, then about tea, and so on. This makes it easier for the AI to understand and improves the quality of the answers.
3. Lack of Context
AI needs context to give you truly helpful answers. When you don’t provide enough details, the answer can be too generic.
Example:
“Write a text about travel.”
How to avoid it:
Add information: “Write a text about a road trip through the countryside of Minas Gerais, including tips for stops and tourist spots.”
4. Using Ambiguous Words
Words with more than one meaning can confuse the AI.
Example:
“Talk about banks.”
Bank could mean a financial institution or a bench.
How to avoid it:
Specify: “Talk about banks as financial institutions.”
5. Ignoring the Target Audience
If you don’t say who the answer is for, the AI might use language that’s not suitable.
Example:
“Explain what artificial intelligence is.”
How to avoid it:
“Explain what artificial intelligence is to 10-year-old children.”
6. Not Reviewing the Prompt Before Sending
Typos, incomplete sentences, or missing punctuation can make it hard for the AI to understand you.
How to avoid it:
Read your command before sending. A quick review can prevent a lot of issues.
7. Expecting Perfect Answers with Little Information
The AI works with what you give it. If your command is shallow, the answer will be too.
How to avoid it:
Include details, context, and, if possible, examples of what you expect in the answer.
How to Improve Prompts and Get More Efficient Results
Now that you know the most common AI prompt mistakes, check out some prompt tips to improve your experience:
Be Specific
The more details you give, the more personalized the answer will be. This applies to any topic, from technical questions to everyday doubts.
Give Context
Explain the scenario, the purpose of your question, and, if possible, who the answer is for. This helps the AI tailor the content.
Use Examples
If you want a text in a certain format, send an example. The AI learns by pattern.
Break Down Complex Questions
If the topic is broad, ask separate questions. That way, the answers are more complete and easier to understand.
Always Review
Before sending, reread your command. Fix mistakes and see if it’s clear enough.
Practical Examples of Good and Bad Prompts
Generic Prompt
“Talk about healthy eating.”
Problem: The answer will be broad and generic.
Improved Prompt
“List five healthy eating tips for people who work all day outside the home.”
Result: The answer is more useful and targeted.
Ambiguous Prompt
“How does the mouse work?”
Problem: It could mean the animal or the computer device.
Improved Prompt
“Explain how a computer mouse works, highlighting the main types available on the market.”
What Do the Experts Say?
According to MIT researcher Anna Ivanova, “the quality of the prompt is crucial for successful interaction with AI.” A study published in Nature (2023) showed that clear prompts increase the accuracy of AI responses by up to 40%.
Technology experts like André Miceli also point out that “the secret is to treat AI as a conversation partner, being clear about what you expect from it.”
Sources:
- Ivanova, A. et al. (2023). “Prompt Engineering for Large Language Models.” Nature.
- André Miceli, MIT Technology Review Brasil, 2023.
How to Practice and Get Better at Creating Prompts
Practice is key. Over time, you’ll notice that small changes bring big results. Try different ways of writing commands, pay attention to the answers, and adjust as needed. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—each attempt is a learning experience.
Creating effective commands for AI is a skill you develop with attention and practice. By avoiding the most common AI prompt mistakes and applying the prompt tips shared here, you’ll notice a big difference in the quality of the answers you get. Clarity, context, and review are your best friends.
Now, how about sharing your questions or experiences in the comments? Your participation can help others who also want to improve their prompts. Try these tips in your daily life and see how communicating with AI can become much simpler and more productive!
Count on me to keep learning and growing in this digital world. Happy prompting!
FAQ
What are AI prompt mistakes?
AI prompt mistakes are errors made when writing commands for artificial intelligence, such as lack of clarity, context, or specificity, which make it harder to get useful answers.
How can I improve prompts to get better AI responses?
Be clear, specific, provide context, and review your command before sending. Break complex questions into smaller parts and use examples whenever possible.
What are the main ChatGPT problems related to prompts?
The main problems involve vague commands, ambiguous questions, lack of context, and typos, which lead to generic or off-topic answers.
Why doesn’t the AI understand my command correctly?
Usually, it’s because your prompt lacks details or context. The more information you provide, the more accurate the answer will be.
Is there an ideal structure for creating commands for AI?
Yes. Use short, objective sentences with context and examples. Say who the answer is for and review before sending to avoid AI prompt mistakes.
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