One of the recent claudisms I keep seeing is “told apart”, meaning “distinguished” (as a verb). I couldn’t place why this grated on me.
Think I figured it out though, while putting off reviewing some over-commented code.
Here it goes: “to tell [x and y] apart” is to distinguish them. It’s not a formal phrase. It’s the sort of thing that might be said in casual conversation about twins, or cats, or herbs in the parsley family.
The robot, when writing comments in code, errs towards a sort of faux-academic style. Much use of formal structure, unnecessary passive voice and participles.
It’s that weird contradiction between using an informal phrase like “tell apart” and putting it into an awkward, faux-academic passive construction that makes it jarring and uncomfortable. I simply don’t think I’d say “told apart”!
Also
First, this is my first post on this website about LLMs. Inevitable, maybe.
Second, I’m content knowing that it’s at least about a sub-topic that I personally care about. Many of my fellow software developers are overly insecure or critical about their writing skills. I think the robot is likely useful as an editor (for those who wish to ask), but daily exposure to its prose is like a regular spoonful of lead acetate in my tea.