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Keyboard Proximity

A character is replaced by an adjacent key on the keyboard.

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A character is replaced by an adjacent key on the keyboard.

Keyboard proximity errors occur when a typist accidentally presses a key adjacent to the intended key on a QWERTY keyboard. For example, pressing 'R' instead of 'E', or '5' instead of '4'. These are among the most common typing errors.

Key replaced by horizontally or vertically adjacent key on QWERTY layout

  • HELLO → HRLLO (E replaced by adjacent R)
  • 12345 → 12445 (3 replaced by adjacent 4)
  • CODE → CODW (E replaced by adjacent W)

How to recognize it

  • Single character replaced by keyboard neighbor
  • Length remains the same
  • Check QWERTY layout for adjacent keys

Common mistakes

  • Not visualizing the keyboard layout
  • Confusing with random substitution
  • Forgetting diagonal adjacencies

Step-by-step walkthrough

Find the error: Original 'HELLO' vs Given 'HRLLO'

  1. Compare position 1: 'H' = 'H'
  2. Compare position 2: 'E' vs 'R' - mismatch found
  3. Compare position 3: 'L' = 'L'
  4. Compare position 4: 'L' = 'L'
  5. Compare position 5: 'O' = 'O'
  6. Check keyboard layout: 'E' and 'R' are adjacent on QWERTY keyboard
  7. The typist hit 'R' instead of 'E' due to finger placement

Answer: Keyboard proximity error: 'E' replaced by adjacent key 'R' at position 2

Practice guidance

Error Checking

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