8. A non-transitory computer readable medium, storing instructions that, when executed by a computing system, cause the computing system to perform operations for data input, the operations comprising: receiving a first user input as part of a gesture, wherein the gesture comprises at least a first input selection that represents less than an entire word and a second input selection; and wherein the gesture is a continuous stroke across a virtual keyboard from a first simulated key across one or more other simulated keys; identifying, in the first user input, a bend from the first input selection to a current input location along the gesture; determining that the bend indicates a third input selection that represents a portion of the word between the first input selection and the second input selection; assigning to the bend a directional classification from a discrete set of directional classifications; determining one or more candidates for the third input selection based on the candidates for the third input selection being in a direction, relative to the first input selection, corresponding to the assigned directional classification; determining one or more possible word suggestions based upon the first input selection and the one or more candidates for the third input selection, wherein the one or more possible word suggestions are determined prior to receiving the second input selection; and providing, using a display, the possible word suggestions to the user.
8. A non-transitory computer readable medium, storing instructions that, when executed by a computing system, cause the computing system to perform operations for data input, the operations comprising: receiving a first user input as part of a gesture, wherein the gesture comprises at least a first input selection that represents less than an entire word and a second input selection; and wherein the gesture is a continuous stroke across a virtual keyboard from a first simulated key across one or more other simulated keys; identifying, in the first user input, a bend from the first input selection to a current input location along the gesture; determining that the bend indicates a third input selection that represents a portion of the word between the first input selection and the second input selection; assigning to the bend a directional classification from a discrete set of directional classifications; determining one or more candidates for the third input selection based on the candidates for the third input selection being in a direction, relative to the first input selection, corresponding to the assigned directional classification; determining one or more possible word suggestions based upon the first input selection and the one or more candidates for the third input selection, wherein the one or more possible word suggestions are determined prior to receiving the second input selection; and providing, using a display, the possible word suggestions to the user. 10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the discrete set of directional classifications comprise directional classifications corresponding to up, down, left, and right.