Name

ispell

Synopsis

                  ispell [options] [files]

Compare the words of one or more named files with the system dictionary. Display unrecognized words at the top of the screen, accompanied by possible correct spellings, and allow editing via a series of commands.

Options

-b

Back up original file in filename.bak.

-d file

Search file instead of standard dictionary file.

-m

Suggest different root/affix combinations.

-n

Expect nroff or troff input file.

-p file

Search file instead of personal dictionary file.

-t

Expect TEX or LATEX input file.

-w chars

Consider chars to be legal, in addition to a-z and A-Z.

-x

Do not back up original file.

-B

Search for missing blanks (resulting in concatenated words) in addition to ordinary misspellings.

-C

Do not produce error messages in response to concatenated words.

-L number

Show number lines of context.

-M

List interactive commands at bottom of screen.

-N

Suppress printing of interactive commands.

-P

Do not attempt to suggest more root/affix combinations.

-S

Sort suggested replacements by likelihood that they are correct.

-T type

Expect all files to be formatted by type.

-W n

Never consider words that are n characters or fewer to be misspelled.

-V

Use hat notation (^L) to display control characters, and M- to display characters with the high bit set.

Interactive commands

?

Display help screen.

space

Accept the word in this instance.

number

Replace with suggested word that corresponds to number.

! command

Invoke shell and execute command in it. Prompt ...

Get Linux in a Nutshell, Fourth Edition now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.