delete words backwards

Question

I use Vim 7.4.576 on debian8. I don't grasp the concept of deleting words backwards.

Here is some text. Cursor position is on "that" (the pipe symbol)

this is a new text on th|at line.

How can I delete the previous words, so as a result the sentence will look like this:

this is a line

Is this the best solution? b4dw

......or is there a shorter way, so that i can skip the first b?

thanks in advance.

Did you mean 4b4dw to get that result?
– Philippos
May 12, 2017 at 6:04 — Philippos, May 12, 2017 at 6:04

Tumbler41 · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-11 22:44:30Z

8

You can use b as a motion for the delete instead of the w to delete backwards.

w4db

See :help {motion} for more info.

answered May 11, 2017 at 22:44

Tumbler41

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okay...b deletes the word before the cursor, and w also the word in the cursor. so you have to count correctly.
– rtl33
May 11, 2017 at 23:19
1

Instead of counting, you can also go with w, then db and repeat that with . (dot) operator (only db will be repeated). Maybe it's more keystrokes, but it may be faster than stopping and counting how many words to delete, plus if you want to delete 4 words, and later decide that one more needs to be deleted, then it's just one more . to press, and if you miscount, than it's just u to press, and only one word deletion will undone.
– grodzik
May 12, 2017 at 7:32

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balki · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-12 19:29:25Z

1

You can also go to insert mode and type ctrl + wwww. Not sure if it will work with gvim. Useful if you are already in insert mode

answered May 12, 2017 at 19:29

balki

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