How the game decides
Thin Air matches what you type against a list of accepted answers for each prompt. The list is long, but it is finite. Before matching, your answer is cleaned up: capital letters, accents and most punctuation are ignored, a trailing plural “s” is allowed, and clear one-letter slips are corrected automatically. If the cleaned answer is not on the list, it is rejected, even if you think it should count.
The usual reasons
- Spelling too far off. One missing, extra, wrong or swapped letter is corrected. Two or more in a short word cannot be guessed safely, so you are asked to confirm or told it is not on the chart.
- A different name for the same thing. We add alternative names and regional spellings where we know them, but not all. If your word is a regional one, try the more common name.
- It is real but outside the category. A prompt for a vegetable will not accept a fruit, even one that is cooked like a vegetable. Prompts follow the category as most people understand it.
- It is too specific or too general. A model number or an extremely local brand may not be listed, while an overly general word (“food” for “a spicy food”) is not an answer.
- It is simply missing. Our lists are large but not complete. This is the one we most want to fix.
A short checklist for the clock
- Prompt. Does my answer match the exact category?
- Name. Is this the most common name for it?
- Spelling. Is it close enough that one slip would be fixed?
- Alternative. Do I have a second answer ready if this one bounces?
What to do in the moment
- Re-read the prompt. Check the exact wording: the category and any extra condition.
- Try the common name. If a regional word fails, the standard English one may work.
- Check the spelling. Type slowly if the clock allows.
- Move on. If you still have time, type a different real answer. Do not stay stuck.
Tell us afterwards
If a real, appropriate answer was rejected, please send us the date or mode, the prompt and what you typed. Missing answers are added, and the score the new answer gets is worked out as for any other. We read every message, though we cannot promise a reply to each one.