10 Critical Prompt Engineering Mistakes That Kill Your AI Results ( How to fix)
By: Amit Bohra
Educator at Promptskaro | Promptsgpt.in
Introduction
If your AI responses often feel vague, inaccurate, or completely off-topic, the problem might not be ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude—it may be how you’re prompting them.
India currently leads Asia-Pacific in AI adoption, with over 56% of urban adults using generative AI tools in 2025. More than 70 million Indians actively use ChatGPT alone, making India the largest AI user base worldwide. With this massive rise, prompt engineering is no longer a niche skill—it is essential for productivity, learning, and career growth.
Yet studies show that nearly 40% of AI-generated content contains inaccuracies or hallucinations, mostly because of poorly structured prompts, lack of context, and unclear instructions.
This guide breaks down the 10 most critical prompt engineering mistakes, why they harm your AI results, and how to fix them—tailored for Indian students, professionals, content creators, entrepreneurs, and educators.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Mistake 1: Being Too Vague
- Mistake 2: Forgetting Role Assignment
- Mistake 3: Overloading Prompts
- Mistake 4: Skipping Context
- Mistake 5: Ignoring Output Format
- Mistake 6: Not Iterating
- Mistake 7: Neglecting Constraints
- Mistake 8: Using Ambiguous Language
- Mistake 9: Failing to Validate Outputs
- Mistake 10: Ignoring Advanced Techniques
- Conclusion
Mistake 1: Being Too Vague
Generic prompts like “Tell me about marketing” don’t provide direction. AI fills gaps randomly, producing shallow responses.
Why It Hurts Results
Specific prompts improve output relevance by over 300%. Vague prompts waste time and produce responses unrelated to your goals.
Bad Prompt
Explain AI
Improved Prompt
Explain how AI is used in Indian e-commerce, specifically in customer support, inventory forecasting, and personalization, using simple language for business owners.
Mistake 2: Forgetting Role Assignment
Without assigning a role, AI responds generically. With a role, responses become precise and expert-level.
Bad Prompt
Give me SEO tips.
Improved Prompt
You are an SEO specialist with 10 years of experience optimizing Indian tech blogs. Provide 5 advanced on-page SEO strategies for a prompt engineering blog targeting professionals aged 25–40.
Industry Examples
- “You are an NCERT curriculum expert…”
- “You are a GST consultant for Indian startups…”
- “You are a D2C growth strategist for Tier-2 Indian cities…”
Mistake 3: Overloading Prompts
Multiple tasks in one prompt reduce accuracy.
Bad Prompt
Write a business plan, create a menu, and make marketing strategy for my restaurant.
Better Approach
Break into sequential prompts:
- Business plan
- Menu
- Marketing strategy
- Budget
- Licenses (FSSAI, GST, municipality)
Mistake 4: Skipping Context
AI doesn’t assume previous knowledge—context must be included.
Bad Prompt
Write job description.
Improved Prompt
Write a job description for a Senior Prompt Engineer based in Bangalore, hybrid, salary ₹18–25 LPA, serving Indian SMEs, mission: Democratizing AI for India.
Use CTF Framework
- Context
- Task
- Format
Mistake 5: Ignoring Output Format
Without format instructions, AI chooses randomly.
Bad Prompt
List benefits of exercise.
Improved Prompt
Create a table with columns: Exercise Type | Physical Benefits | Mental Benefits. Include Yoga, Running, Swimming, Cycling, and Weight Training.
Specify Format
- Bullets
- Table
- Headings
- Word limit
- Tone
Mistake 6: Not Iterating
One prompt ≠ final result. Refinement is essential.
Bad Workflow
Prompt → Output → Done
Improved Workflow
Prompt → Review → Refine → Deepen → Finalize
Iteration Example
Explain blockchain → explain using Indian banking analogy → connect to UPI + NPCI
Mistake 7: Neglecting Constraints
Without constraints, AI outputs random length, tone, style, or detail.
Improved Prompt Example
Write a warm apology email to an Indian manufacturing client explaining a 2-week delay due to Diwali vendor shutdown. 150–180 words. Offer 10% discount. Avoid jargon.
Constraint Checklist
- Tone
- Word count
- Format
- Must include / avoid
- Language style (English/Hinglish)
Mistake 8: Using Ambiguous Language
Long jargon-filled prompts confuse AI.
Clear Example
Create an 8-module beginner course to teach prompt engineering to Indian tech students using ChatGPT and Gemini, with hands-on exercises and certification.
Use short sentences, specific instructions, and active tone.
Mistake 9: Failing to Validate Outputs
LLMs can hallucinate—never trust without verification.
Better Prompt
Explain GST rules for SaaS companies in India. Cite only verified sections from CGST Act 2017. If unsure, say “Not certain.”
Validation Checklist
- Cross-check stats
- Request citations
- Use official sources
- Avoid blind copy-paste
Mistake 10: Ignoring Advanced Techniques
Beginners prompt for output. Experts prompt for reasoning.
Techniques
- Chain of Thought → Step-by-step logic
- Few-Shot → Provide examples
- RICE-FACT → Role, Instruction, Context, Examples, Format, Action, Tone, Constraints
Conclusion
Prompt engineering is not just typing questions—it is structured communication. Avoiding these mistakes helps:
- Reduce AI errors
- Save hours of rework
- Increase clarity
- Improve productivity
- Boost professional value
Master prompting now while adoption is exploding—this skill will define digital careers in India.
Transform how you work with AI—one prompt at a time.
About the Author
Amit Bohra
Educator at Promptskaro
Amit helps everyday people learn AI like professionals through practical, hands-on frameworks that simplify tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude
