1. A method for inputting text, comprising: at a computer system having one or more processors, a touch screen, and memory storing programs for execution by the one or more processors, displaying a virtual keyboard on the touch screen; detecting user touches on the virtual keyboard; in response to the user touches, generating text input to the computer system and displaying the text input as it is generated; detecting a swipe gesture on the touch screen, the swipe gesture including an initial touchdown point and a direction; determining the direction of the swipe gesture; determining a context based upon the text input, wherein the context includes one of the text input representing a partial word, a complete word, and a sentence; determining a type of the swipe gesture, wherein the type includes one of a single finger swipe gesture, a two finger swipe gesture, and a three finger swipe gesture; and performing a predetermined editing function in relation to the text input based on a respective combination of the determined direction, context and type of the swipe gesture, wherein each of a plurality of different respective combinations is associated with a different editing function and wherein the predetermined editing function is performed upon determination of the combination without further user input.