Artificial intelligence (AI) has changed the way we do many things, and writing is no exception. Software offering text prediction features have made it easier and faster for beginer and even seasoned writers to put words on paper. Those in the corporate world have found many benefits from knowing how to use predictive text, as well, as it enables them to significantly reduce their thinking and typing hours and focus on more pressing tasks.
This article discusses how you can use predictive text to turbocharge your writing.
What Predictive Text Means
"Predictive text" is what it sounds like: it is AI that forecasts the words or phrases that you are going to type next based on what you are currently writing. Some text prediction software can project per word, while some are able to predict as far as over 10 words forward. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, the tool allows even non-writers to craft an entire paragraph or article that's not just grammatically correct but also reads well.
Microsoft added "text suggestions" in early 2018 to Microsoft 365 and Windows 10, but it wasn't until recently when it launched a ready-to-use app, joining a growing number of apps that provide this feature. If you are a Windows user, you can activate this capability for MS Word and Outlook, which works similarly to Gmail's Smart Compose feature.
How To Enable Predictive Text on Windows
Here's how to use predictive text on your Windows computer.
On your Windows 10 computer, press Windows+l or click the Start menu > Settings icon > Devices.
Select Typing on the sidebar that appears, then scroll down to Hard Keyboard and choose Show Text Suggestions As I Type.
The feature is currently available in the U.S. English language (but it might accommodate other languages in the future).
You have the option to enable Autocorrect Misspelled Words I Type if you want the software to fix your typos as you go.
While typing, a floating popup will appear with some text suggestions. To select a recommendation, you can tap the Up-Arrow key to highlight the word and then use the Left and Right Arrow keys then Enter to select it. You can also use your mouse to make a choice.
Windows text suggestions feature is available for MS Office applications, Notepad, and web browsers (Google Chrome).
Limitations To Windows Text Predictions
While its text prediction feature is quite impressive, many users found it distracting and annoying. Redmond Magazine's Brien Posey reviewed the function and found that it offers as many incorrect predictions as right ones, thereby slowing his writing process down instead of helping.
A Better Solution to Predictive Text
As mentioned earlier, the concept of text prediction is not new and many software have been offering it way before Windows 10 did. And even Windows 10's own text suggestions feature still needs some tweaks and improvements.
Lightkey emerges as one of the most reliable predictive text software today that not only provides relevant recommendations in real-time but can also correct spelling and grammar. Powered by machine learning, Lightkey can predict as many as 12 words ahead, including punctuations.
What makes this software quite impressive is its ability to give relevant suggestions as you type, based on the theme of your content and typing patterns. The more you use the app, the better it can understand you and your writing habits, so it can grow and scale its capabilities in the future.
Whether you are an expert writer or a beginner, you can leverage Lightkey's text prediction tools to power your writing for personal, professional, and business purposes. Its goal is to help you write polished content better, more accurately, and faster.
Using Text Prediction to Supercharge Your Writing
Lightkey works on your Windows PC and with all web apps (when using either Google Chrome or Edge as your browser) you use daily, including MS Office Outlook, Word, Powerpoint, Slack, Asana, LinkedIn, Gmail, Reddit, Twitter and more. It also works in 85 languages.
The software is available for free for up to 1,000 keystrokes per month on Edge, Chrome, and MS Office. It also provides sound assistance for non-touch typists. Should you need more advanced features like a vocabulary and content manager, and the Collective Wisdom prediction engine, and the ability to back up and restore prediction profiles, plus unlimited keystrokes, you may upgrade to its paid plans.
Download Lightkey today to explore its features.