How can I copy the word which I am typing? (without mode switch…)

Question

Sometimes I want to set a starting mark then type a word(usually a long variable name), after finishing the word I may set an ending mark. Then I can get the word stored in my register so that I can paste it without any extra movement, mode switch, etc.

How can I make that? Or there is a better "vim-way" to achieve the similar effect?

Thank you.

Answer 1

The following two mappings let you record any chunk of text you are typing in insert mode, not necessarily a single word, and save it into register o.

inoremap <C-K> <C-O>qo
inoremap <C-L> <Esc>q:let @o=@o[:-2]<CR>a

Start recording with CtrlK, end recording with CtrlL. Paste the recorded text in insert mode with CtrlR o.

Answer 2

Use m and y.

1. Type Ctrl+O (exit insert mode for 1 command)
2. Type mk to set marker k to your current location
3. Type your word
4. Type Ctrl+O
5. Type y`k to yank from marker k to your current location

http://www.marksanborn.net/software/using-markers-in-vim/

Answer 3

With <C-o>, you can temporarily leave insert mode for a single command. You can then issue a yiw command (yank inner word), and have the last word you've been typing in the default (or any other you specify with "x) register.

Answer 4

In INSERT mode, you can use Ctrl-N or Ctrl-P to trigger auto-completion.
It's very useful when you're re-typing long words.