Candidate list enhancement for predictive text input in electronic devices

A method in a portable electronic device, the method comprising:

• inputting a first word component at a user interface;
• displaying a first candidate list having at least a first completion candidate including the first word component;
• inputting a second word component at the user interface;
• displaying a second candidate list having a second completion candidate, the second completion candidate including the first and second word components;
• de-prioritizing the first completion candidate relative to at least one other candidate of the second candidate list.

A handheld electronic device comprising:

• a user input;
• a processor coupled to the user input;
• a display coupled to the processor,
• the processor generating a first list having at least a first completion candidate including a first word component in response to the first word component input at the user input,
• the processor generating a second list having at least a second completion candidate in response to a second word component input at the user input, the second completion candidate including the first word component and the second word component,
• the processor de-prioritizing the first completion candidate relative to the second completion candidate.