Level 1

22 points

The Mac's Spell Check — Why So Awful?

I have been using Mac's now since the early 1990s, and would never consider any other computer. I am a diehard fan.

However, I have to point out that the spellcheck on the Mac could do with some major improvements in terms of its ability to guess and suggest the correct spelling, when a spelling error occurs. The Mac really is really appalling sometimes in terms of its complete inability to guess the correct spelling.

For example, if you type the following spelling error into the Mac:

approximaltey

it is pretty clear that the Mac should be suggesting the correct word: "approximately" when you right click on the misspelled word, and get the Mac's pop-up menu spelling suggestions.

Yet in this example the Mac seems incapable of recognizing the correct word, and so does not present any spelling suggestions when you right click on this misspelled word. The pop-up menu just says: "No Guesses Found". And this is not an isolated example: I frequently find that the Mac is clueless at guessing the correct spelling for lots of words that are only slightly misspelled.

However, if you type the same misspellings into a Google search, Google guesses and suggests the right spelling correction every time.

So if Google is able to correctly guess the right spelling correction for slightly misspelled words, why can't the Mac?

Apple, what is you answer to this?

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4), null

Posted on Mar 22, 2016 8:26 PM

Top-ranking reply

Nivrot

Level 1

16 points

Posted on Jan 27, 2017 3:31 AM

It is not a recent thing!

This has bothered me forever and I cannot comprehend why Apple has not fixed this.

It has always made Mail an inefficient program and a major PITA.

If the spell check can pick out the wrongly spelled words then it should be able to make some suggestions too. MS Word has had this ability since the dawn of times.

This is so symptomatic for Apple's priorities and general attitude:
"We don't really care about real usability. Functioning spell check in your most used program on your computer? Forget it, give me your money. Haha!"

This is one one the (many) reasons I feel like Apple is no longer for me: Still no working "suggestions function" in Mail! How do they get away with it? Just u-n-b-e-l-i-e-v-a-b-l-e.

Example from just now (Norwegian interface, but English "spell check" 🙂):

View in context

23 replies

argee17

Level 1

4 points

Feb 2, 2018 7:02 AM in response to Hip89

I agree. The spellcheck and grammar check function in Apple Mail is terrible and it's unconscionable that Apple lets it continue torturing users in this way. For instance, why does it continue to highlight and question the use of the word "are" in the simplest, correct sentences such as "I was wondering if you are coming to the meeting?", or highlight and question the correct use of the contraction "you're" in a sentence such as "If you're ready to have some fun" (always asking if I mean the incorrect word "your"!). Or highlighting and questioning the word "is" in a typed sentence with the words "this is not accurate". And why does it give options I have to click such as "next" or "ignore" with no "learn" option so it will stop questioning in every single one of hundreds and thousands of emails? Apple, what is your answer to this? Show you actually care about customers and fix it.

Barney-15E

Level 10

125,822 points

Nov 27, 2016 12:30 PM in response to mtill

You should probably just use Goole, then.

mtill

Level 1

4 points

Nov 27, 2016 12:51 PM in response to Barney-15E

I can't use Google spellcheck in Apple Mail, Apple Pages, Apple TextEdit, Apple Numbers, etc.

Barney-15E

Level 10

125,822 points

Nov 27, 2016 1:32 PM in response to mtill

Arghh, the ironey.

Nivrot

Level 1

16 points

Jul 28, 2017 7:51 AM in response to dialabrain

You are probably right.

Why would Apple spend time scanning a USER forum? They seem to have been born with infinite wisdom and have no interest in what us lowly consumers might discuss.

dialabrain

Level 10

138,553 points

Jul 28, 2017 8:10 AM in response to Nivrot

Apple does read feedback, which is why I posted the link. This forum is a users helping users forum.

Nivrot

Level 1

16 points

Jul 28, 2017 8:30 AM in response to dialabrain

I know, and thanks for the link. I did leave a message there just before.

Just thought it is a pity that things are not picked up from the official forum, thats all.

mec_x

Level 1

14 points

Oct 3, 2017 3:11 PM in response to Nivrot

Apple's spelling suggestions have never been good. I've seen it fail where i'm just a single letter off. I find myself typing it in google for the right suggestion. it is truly pitiful

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The Mac's Spell Check — Why So Awful?