[Learn](/learn/) / Trigrams 

# What is a trigram in typing?

A trigram is a sequence of three keys, such as THE, ING, or ION. It joins two overlapping bigrams and shows how you enter, move through, and leave a short pattern.

By PeakTock  Updated  August 17, 2026 

In one minute

## Trigrams add context to two-key transitions

THE contains the bigrams TH and HE, but typing all three keys tests how those movements connect. Trigrams are useful for practice and future analysis, but PeakTock does not currently report trigram scores.

## 1\. How a trigram works

A trigram is any ordered sequence of three keys. The word _the_ has one trigram: T then H then E . The word _there_contains three overlapping trigrams: T then H then E , H then E then R , and E then R then E . 

Each trigram contains two bigrams. T then H then E contains T then H  and H then E . The middle key connects the two movements. Use this context to ask whether the entry pair, exit pair, or connection deserves inspection. PeakTock does not currently give the whole trigram a separate score. 

THE = TH + HE, with H as the connecting key

## 2\. What trigrams can reveal

Three keys are long enough to show a short movement pattern but short enough to repeat across many words. Common endings such as I then N then G  and common starts such as C then O then N  can affect many parts of your writing. 

- **Entry:** does the first pair take longer?
- **Connection:** does the middle key produce a pause or wrong order?
- **Exit:** does the second pair take longer?
- **Reuse:** does the same sequence return in several words?

A slow trigram does not prove that all three keys are weak. Most of the measured delay can sit in one bigram. Check the two pairs inside the trigram before you choose a practice target. 

## 3\. What PeakTock measures today

PeakTock for Mac currently reports results for individual keys, key pairs, and complete words. It does **not** currently report a separate mastery score for trigrams. 

You can still use trigrams to understand and practise a problem. Start with a slow word, split it into three-key sections, and then inspect the key pairs inside each section. For example, if _thing_ feels slow, you can examine T then H then I , H then I then N , and I then N then G , then compare TH, HI, IN, and NG in your pair results. 

## 4\. How to practise a trigram

1. Choose one real word that contains the trigram.
2. Split the trigram into its two pairs: THE becomes TH and HE.
3. Compare the pairs in the same word and isolate only the pair that breaks.
4. Join the three keys again, then test the complete word.

__Example trigram practice families__
| Trigram | Example words             | Contained bigrams              |
| ------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| THE     | the, then, other          | TH + [HE](/learn/bigrams/he/)  |
| ING     | typing, working, learning | [IN](/learn/bigrams/in/) \+ NG |
| ION     | action, motion, position  | IO + ON                        |

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