"Defiantly" vs."definitely"

Is there a spellcheck program that routinely changes "definitely" to "defiantly"? I saw this switch again in a post just now that said "defiantly" where "definitely" fit the meaning and "defiantly" didn't. The substitution occurs so often that I wonder whether it's human error or the result of ill-designed software. I've never seen it with "definite/defiant," only with the -ly form.

Definitely has a lot of short vowels and is pretty easy to misspell. I suspect what you're seeing are corrections to a misspelled version.

If I type "defanitly," the first option in spell check is defiantly. Second option is definitely. If I leave the 'a' and put the 'e' back, "defanitely," the spell check options switch places.

Leaving the 'e' out of '-ely', seems to always default to defiantly*.

* Spell check also barked at me for using defiantly as a noun.

OhLook wrote in post #19423160
Is there a spellcheck program that routinely changes "definitely" to "defiantly"? I saw this switch again in a post just now that said "defiantly" where "definitely" fit the meaning and "definatly" didn't. The substitution occurs so often that I wonder whether it's human error or the result of ill-designed software. I've never seen it with "definite/defiant," only with the -ly form.

OhLook I imagine such misspelled words come from smart devices.
Typing fast it's easy to miss wrongly placed words.
I start typing definitely and that is offered after the i, but if I type defiantly it adds that but only after the ia.
Defin offers me definitely

Not all work that way.
I assume your "definatly" is a typing error on your behalf?
NOT picking on you, just observing what is written here.

These modern devices can be so frustrating. Takes lot of concentration to get things correct.

drsilver wrote in post #19423171
I suspect what you're seeing are corrections to a misspelled version.

Your explanation seems likely, and I wouldn't have guessed it. Thank you.

Evidently, spellcheck doesn't take frequency of words into account when making suggestions. "Definitely" is more common than "defiantly" and is therefore more likely to be what the writer's trying to type.

avondale87 wrote in post #19423177
I assume your "definatly" is a typing error on your behalf?
NOT picking on you, just observing what is written here.

Yes, it was a typo. Sorry. Fixed now. It's hard to concentrate in this heat we're having.

OhLook wrote in post #19423179
Your explanation seems likely, and I wouldn't have guessed it. Thank you.

Evidently, spellcheck doesn't take frequency of words into account when making suggestions. "Definitely" is more common than "defiantly" and is therefore more likely to be what the writer's trying to type.

I wish spell check would flag its changes. It need be nothing more than changing the text color. Speaking for myself, I tend to scan past words that are spelled correctly but are in the wrong context. I’ll often pause and re-read before sending e-mail to try to catch those errors.

Capn Jack wrote in post #19423217
I wish spell check would flag its changes. It need be nothing more than changing the text color.

Are you saying it changes your text without alerting you at all?! That's outrageous. I don't use spellcheck voluntarily, but Google searches come with it. Words not in Google's lexicon are marked by wavy red underlines. This often happens with proper names.

OhLook wrote in post #19423244
Are you saying it changes your text without alerting you at all?! That's outrageous. I don't use spellcheck voluntarily, but Google searches come with it. Words not in Google's lexicon are marked by wavy red underlines. This often happens with proper names.

Apple iPhones certainly do, and sometimes the word it comes up with is entirely different.

OhLook wrote in post #19423244
Are you saying it changes your text without alerting you at all?! That's outrageous. I don't use spellcheck voluntarily, but Google searches come with it. Words not in Google's lexicon are marked by wavy red underlines. This often happens with proper names.

What he says below.

jcothron wrote in post #19423249
Apple iPhones certainly do, and sometimes the word it comes up with is entirely different.

Word does it too, unless you turn spell/grammar checking off.

A joke related to this subject:
I am so sorry Bob. I've been riddled with guilt and I have to confess. I have been tapping your wife, day and night when you're not around. In fact, more than you. I do not get any at home, but that's no excuse. I can no longer live with the guilt and I hope you will accept my sincerest apology with my promise that it won't happen again.

The man, anguished and betrayed, went into his bedroom, grabbed his gun, and without a word, shot his wife and killed her.

A few moments later, a second text came in: Damn autocorrect! I meant "wifi", not "wife"

Just proofread before sending. If you are posting something that could be read by hundreds, it is good practice to make sure that what you are publishing is what you intended.

jcothron wrote in post #19423249
Apple iPhones certainly do, and sometimes the word it comes up with is entirely different.

Wow. Another reason not to use Apple products.

Microsoft products, Google products, and just about every other product I use that has spelling/grammar checking, just flag words that it thinks are incorrect. It's up to the user to take or reject the suggestion.

My grammar and spelling are good enough that I view those suggestions with a healthy dose of skepticism, even though they're right about 80% of the time, but not good enough to either ignore or blindly accept the notifications entirely.

On my devices, some apps will auto change text (and briefly highlight those changes), while others only suggest changes. Google is pretty good with suggestions that are contextual. Most of the time they are valid, but occasionally they don't get what I'm trying to say, and sometimes the suggestion might be contentious - as in "want to try and connect" vs "want to try to connect". Reminds me of Microsoft correcting September 7th to September 7. Either way, I get to decide.

I believe there is a way to turn the autotype off on iPhones. I just have not taken the time to do it.

drsilver wrote in post #19423321
Wow. Another reason not to use Apple products.

Microsoft products, Google products, and just about every other product I use that has spelling/grammar checking, just flag words that it thinks are incorrect. It's up to the user to take or reject the suggestion.

My grammar and spelling are good enough that I view those suggestions with a healthy dose of skepticism, even though they're right about 80% of the time, but not good enough to either ignore or blindly accept the notifications entirely.

Some Microsoft products will change things for you without flagging it unless you tell it not to do so. We use office 365 at work- Word changes things, Excel and others- you need to force a spell/grammar check. I get reminded when we get an upgrade and I see "ACN" get changed to "CAN" - abbreviation for acetonitrile changed to an abbreviation for Canadian dollars.

Archibald wrote in post #19423263
Just proofread before sending. If you are posting something that could be read by hundreds, it is good practice to make sure that what you are publishing is what you intended.

I certainly agree, but it's not that simple. Most people aren't skilled proofreaders any more than they're skilled welders or figure skaters. For instance, I see whole words left out in many news stories written by employed journalists.

Archibald wrote in post #19423332
Google is pretty good with suggestions that are contextual . . . but . . . sometimes the suggestion might be contentious - as in "want to try and connect" vs "want to try to connect".

That one shouldn't be contentious. "Try to connect" is the correct form even if another "to" is nearby.