Do you forget how to spell a word?
 

I am typing away on this board and want to use a specific word and can't spell it. I try and try but I can't remember. I use to be an excellent speller. Now, not so much. So, I have to restructure the sentence and put in a different word, something simple, to put my thoughts in the thread. Anyone else have this problem?

Yes I do as I get older I do forget. I also find myself hitting the wrong key's more often or leave out a word. I guess it comes with age, or I get to rushed so I try to slow down.

I use to be a proofreader for the newspaper also, but that's not helping me now. I'm 58 and the words aren't coming to me like they did a couple of years ago.

Yes. I do forget too. I too was a proofreader for the yellow pages. Wrong spelling just jumps out at me. But I'm getting forgetful too. so....................guess that is the way it'll be. I'm blessed I'm still able to spell anything LOL

Thank goodness I have the computer that aids my brain these days. Although I was once an excellent speller, teacher, and held several writing and proofreading jobs through the years, I find myself struggling for the word I want to use or incorrectly spelling the word I'm trying to use. It gets frustrating sometimes but I just type what I have/know in the search (google or any other program) and the needed info is right there. Takes time but well worth the effort to finish what I want to write. Every problem has at least one solution that works!

I recognize this!!
I'm forcing myself to read more books for practice......maybe it helps.......

If the glitches and memory lapses are getting more frequent and more serious - thorough physical and physiological exams may be needed. It's possible one may have had a mini-stroke that did some damage or something else may be malfunctioning.

Everyone forgets things - and we get more concerned about forgetfulness as we age - but there is a line between 'normal' forgetfulness and 'cause for concern' forgetfulness.

do you use Firefox as your browser. it is a free download if you don't. it has spell check built in. that way, you can spell the word as close as possible. then when the browser underlines it in red, right click on the word and it will give you suggestions. i use it all of the time :)

When I worked full time I had excellent spelling. Now that I am at home all of the time, spelling has become more difficult. I kind of think it is a case of "When you don't use it, you lose it."

Yes!! Got stuck on the word, "gang" once and the more I said it aloud, the funnier it got!
But I can always spot a misspelled word some one else wrote!

If I touch type (looking at the screen instead of the keys) I do OK. If I do not look at the screen when typing, everything gets mixed up, like dyslexia. Always have trouble with becuase instead of because, as well as many others. Letters just come out in the wrong order.

I'm closing in on 59, and I find this happening to me a lot here lately. Guess that's part of getting "older". Not old, just older.

At least its just the spelling you can't remember. I frequently forget what the word is I want. LOL!!! Try getting someone to help you remember a word. Oh, my goodness, funny, but frustrating!!!!!

oh yes. i do too. frustrating. and yes, i've re-worded to be able to use a word I can spell. and spell check doesn't always help.
the other day i did learn how to use the Dictionary in my Kindle. i was reading a book and wanted to know the definition of Anomalous. First time i'd use the Dictionary but got it to work fine.

Yes-------

My bigger problem is the auto complete functions--which often want to use a word other than the one I want--and they can be quite insistent.

Yes...I used to be good at spelling but now, from time to time I forget how to spell a word. Actually, if I don't think about it I'm fine, but as soon as I start to wonder if it's spelt correctly or not, then I've lost it...lol.

(by the way...how many of you, when replying to this post, have gone back and double checked that your spelling is correct?? I did..more than once...lol. Gosh..hope I got it all right...lol)

I agree... that plus "spellcheck" has really got me all twisted. I either can't spell the word or can't think of the exact one I want. I can think of all the ones "around" it but not it (does that make sense?). I asked my MD about it because my dad had Ahlzheimer's & getting it worries me. She said "Forgetting where your keys are (for example) is normal. Forgetting what your keys are for is when you need to worry". So far, fingers crossed...

I have & even then, sometimes I don't catch it & when I see it posted, I think "Argh"!!!

Yes, me, too. I have re-worded a sentence so that I don't have to use the specific word. Also, if I look at the word too long, it will look misspelled even though it is spelled correctly. I hate the auto-complete. It never gives me the word "I" want to use!! I do have an "excuse" though because some of my meds make me forget!! LOL

It happens to me all the time, the funny thing is I know how to spell most of the words...my mind just goes blank. That's why I keep a Webster Dictionary right next to me at all times. But, on the other hand I am a good "proof reader"...I catch misspelled words right off. LOL

I use to be able to spot a misspelled word a mile away, but the last few years I am not as eagle eyed as I use to be. I find myself googling a lot of words and the frustrating thing is that I have usually spelled them right, but they look wrong to me. It is interesting that we seem to have all the same exact problems!

Oh! I thought it was just me! I have this happen to me just often enough to get me worried. The worst for me is when I am typing away - in the zone - and then look back and I have used the wrong form of spelling (ie there instead of their) I know the rule, but my brain didn't for that moment. I need a proof reader.

Yes, it happens more often now. Or I spell out a work correct and question it, thinking that it just doesn't look right. and I am talking small words, 4 or 5 letter words.

always have that trouble. joyce j

YES, the older I get the worse I get.
Im an avid reader so that is not helping.

My Mom had a severe stroke - that pretty much destroyed her speaking ability - but she still seemed to be able to understand/comprehend what was said to her - it was so sad to see her struggling for a word - and not be able to find it.

That may be why I'm on the 'far right' for concern

My 'thing' has been names - I can go all around the name - birth date, car model, number of kids, eye color - etc. -

It's been going on for many years - so I'm not overly concerned - most of the time - yet.

I'm still more comfortable with 'conventional spelling' - even though I know that many of the spellings in American English are totally illogical and not phonetic.

I'll use a different word when speaking if I'm not sure of how to pronounce it.

It happens to the best of Us. I too was a great speller, proof reader and improper English still throws me into shock, but there is this strange happening when a word you are about to type just flies off into the ether, poof, gone! Very aggravating, for sure.

Yes it happens to me also. It has gotten worse since I had major surgery I was afraid that would happen

Getting old is not what it is cracked up to be. I start writing something and can't remember how to spell it but I found a way to solve this. I minimize what I am typing on and go to Microsoft word and type the word then do spell check and then go back to the page I was working on. It works for me.

when that happens to me I usually open word processing, type the word in & do a spell check. A lot of trouble, but it works. We do need spell check on this board

The only problem that I have is when I spell a perfectly good 'English" word (suitable for Australians) and the computer I am using has an "Americanised" dictionary and I end up with a page full of red, underlined words.My confidence is thus shattered and I spend the rest of the night checking in my Macquarie Dictionary that I have really spelt them correctly...lol!

I thought I was the only one...it is good to know there are others out there that are having the same problem.

You can use spellcheck. It's the last button in the row above when you use quick reply, if it is compatable with your system. Otherwise you are stuck with rephrasing, or doing the best you can. I keep a dictionary handy because I've always needed to check spelling.

I remember one of the kids bringing a note from her teacher. It was terrible as far as grammer and spelling. My dh corrected it and signed it as requested and returned it to the teacher. I don't think we heard back from her for quite a while.

I am suffering from this too -I was always an excellent speller - I could see the words spelled in my head - it was just easy - now - I find myself struggling with words - I am only 47 but since I don't work out of my home - I don't have to use it as much - I do read alot and always have - I think its one of those joys of getting older...

I, too, have many, many years of using words and have been an excellent speller. My problem is that I have a new keyboard which is so sensitive that if I even brush a key, it types it. I have no idea how many words I have misspelled in recent weeks. I am bothered, however, when someone misspells so many words in a message that I cannot figure out what the writer intended.

this happens and some times its the simplest words--love Firefox spell check.It also reminds me to capitalize.