1. A method for a computing device selecting words for which alternate words are to be displayed, the method comprising: identifying a set of words in which each of a plurality of the words has respective corresponding alternate words that are displayed by a user interface when a corresponding one of the plurality of words is selected from the set of words; determining a current editing mode of the computing device, in which the computing device is operating with respect to receiving input into the device; selecting a particular one of the words from the set of words having alternates according to the current editing mode of the computing device and according to rules that indicate the selection of said particular word is to be based on one or more of: (a) determined proximity of a cursor to the particular word when the computing device is in the current editing mode, (b) determined sequential ordering and placement of the particular word subsequent to a previously selected word when the computing device is in the current editing mode; or (c) a determined first occurrence of any word within a selection of multiple words that have alternates; and providing alternates for the selected word through a user interface.