How to Spell-Check a Document
It is very easy to spell-check and correct any text file using ispell.
- If you have been editing the file, save it and exit the editor.
- From the command line, run ispell on the file of your choice:
% ispell README
- Ispell will search for misspelled words. When one is found,
it will appear at the top of your screen, together with a few
lines from the file. The incorrect word will be highlighted.
- If ispell can guess at the correct spelling, there will be a
numbered list of suggestions. Type the number
corresponding to the proper spelling to correct the word.
- If ispell can't guess, or if the guesses are wrong, type
r to replace the word with another one. Ispell
will prompt you to enter a correction.
- If ispell is just plain wrong (e.g., the word in question is
your name), type i to insert it in your personal
dictionary. Ispell will never complain again, even on other
files. Be sure you don't insert misspellings in your
- Sometimes you will want ispell to ignore a word just this
once. Hit the space bar to move to the next word.
There are several other correction options, but these should be enough
to get you started. Other options are listed in the mini-menu at the
bottom of the screen; type ? for help with them.