1. A method for recognizing speech, the method comprising the steps of: analyzing speech input with an apparatus using at least one hardware-implemented processor to generate a hypothesis including multiple elements; generating respective confidence factors for the multiple elements of the speech input; comparing a confidence factor for at least one of the elements to a threshold for accepting the element as properly recognized; and if the element is not accepted in the comparison, comparing at least a portion of the hypothesis containing the unaccepted element to at least a portion of an expected response; if the comparison of the portion of the hypothesis containing the unaccepted element with the portion of the expected response is favorable, storing the unaccepted element for subsequent analysis and proceeding to further analyze another element of the hypothesis.
1. A method for recognizing speech, the method comprising the steps of: analyzing speech input with an apparatus using at least one hardware-implemented processor to generate a hypothesis including multiple elements; generating respective confidence factors for the multiple elements of the speech input; comparing a confidence factor for at least one of the elements to a threshold for accepting the element as properly recognized; and if the element is not accepted in the comparison, comparing at least a portion of the hypothesis containing the unaccepted element to at least a portion of an expected response; if the comparison of the portion of the hypothesis containing the unaccepted element with the portion of the expected response is favorable, storing the unaccepted element for subsequent analysis and proceeding to further analyze another element of the hypothesis. 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating the hypothesis in an element-by-element fashion, and the subsequent analysis for a stored element being performed after generating the next element in the hypothesis.