1. A method for recognizing speech, the method comprising the steps of: analyzing speech input 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.