How do I set up auto-correct abbreviations in Vim to fix common typos?

Explanation

Vim's abbreviation system automatically expands short text sequences as you type, making it perfect for auto-correcting typos, inserting boilerplate snippets, or expanding shorthand into full text. When you type the abbreviation followed by a non-keyword character (like space, enter, or punctuation), Vim instantly replaces it with the expansion.

How it works

• :ab {abbreviation} {expansion} creates an abbreviation that triggers in insert mode and command-line mode
• :iab {abbreviation} {expansion} creates one that only triggers in insert mode
• :cab {abbreviation} {expansion} creates one that only triggers in command-line mode
• The abbreviation expands when you type a non-keyword character after it (space, ., ,, <CR>, etc.)
• :una {abbreviation} removes an abbreviation
• :ab with no arguments lists all current abbreviations

Example

Add common typo corrections to your vimrc:

:iab teh the
:iab recieve receive
:iab taht that
:iab seperate separate

Now whenever you type teh in insert mode, Vim instantly corrects it to the .

Use abbreviations for boilerplate too:

:iab @@ your.email@example.com
:iab ssig Best regards,<CR>John Smith

Typing @@ followed by a space inserts your full email address. Typing ssig followed by a space inserts a two-line signature.

Tips

• Use <C-]> in insert mode to expand an abbreviation immediately without typing a trailing space
• To type an abbreviation literally without triggering expansion, press <C-v> before the space or trigger character
• Abbreviations are whole-word only — teh inside ateh will not trigger, preventing false positives
• Use :iab <buffer> {abbr} {expansion} to create buffer-local abbreviations that only apply to the current file
• Combine with autocmd FileType for language-specific snippets: autocmd FileType python iab <buffer> ifmain if __name__ == "__main__":
• For multi-line expansions, use <CR> in the expansion: :iab forloop for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {<CR>}<Esc>O
• Abbreviations are stored in your vimrc and loaded every session — build up a personal dictionary of corrections over time