Quick fixes: Use dictation when you can't spell a word

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Sometimes a word can be so hard to spell that any attempt is too scrambled for autocorrect to offer any helpful suggestions.

Quick Fix

Use your device’s built-in dictation.

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Whenever I have trouble spelling a word, I press the Command key on my Mac twice to activate dictation mode. From there, I can say the word out loud, and most of the time the word I’m looking for appears on my screen. I can then press Command twice again to tell my computer to stop listening.

Being a misspeller, I do this trick at least once a week, and it’s the only reason I’m able to spell the word “guarantee” because my brain just can’t hold it.

Most devices have a built-in way of doing voice-to-text, but there’s often a tiny bit of setup involved.

Enable dictation on a Mac

To enable dictation in macOS Monterey, go to System Preferences > Keyboard and access the Dictation tab. From there, you can enable dictation. You can then choose the language you want to dictate in and the shortcut you want to use to activate it. In Ventura (which is currently in beta), go to System Parameters > Keyboard and scroll down to the Dictation section, where you can turn it on.

The Dictation pane in macOS Monterey. In macOS Ventura, the Dictation tab is just a section of the keyboard pane but functions much the same.

If you think you won’t be using the feature often, you don’t need to have a keyboard shortcut for it – in most apps you’ll be able to access dictation from the Edit button in the toolbar.

If an application or menu has its own Edit menu, you can use the one in the menu bar to access Start Dictation.

Enable dictation on an iPhone

Go to Settings > General > Keyboards and turn on Enable dictation. Now, when using the keyboard, a microphone button will be available in the lower right corner of your screen (if you’re using a device with Face ID) or next to the space key (on devices with a home button) . Tap the microphone icon to start dictation.

Enable Voice Typing in Windows 11

Write in a Google Doc with Windows Voice Typing.

Hurry Windows key + H to bring up the voice input window, which should float above the app you’re trying to use. Clicking the microphone button will mean you agree to the terms and conditions, and your computer will automatically start listening. The next time you press Windows key + Hit will automatically start listening.

Enable dictation on Android phone

How you enable dictation on an Android phone (of course) depends on the phone you’re using.

On a Pixel phone or another Android phone using the Gboard keyboard, find the microphone icon in the upper right corner of the keyboard. Tap it and start talking. (The icon will have a semi-circle of rainbow colors to indicate it’s live.) You can touch it again to turn it off; if you stop talking, it will stop by itself in a few seconds.

The authorization process for Samsung’s default voice dictation.

On a Samsung phone, assuming you’re using the default Samsung keyboard, you should see a microphone button above the top row of keys. Tap it to display a prompt asking if you want to allow Samsung voice input to record audio.

If you instead get a prompt that you need to allow it to appear on top of other apps, tap Settings to open the app information screen for Samsung voice typing. Scroll down until you see the Appear at the top option. Tap it, then tap Allow permission. Tap the back button to return to the app info screen, then scroll down to Permissions to enable access to the microphone if it is not already selected.