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How to Solve Expressive Words Problem
Master the Expressive Words LeetCode problem with undetectable real-time assistance. Get instant solutions and explanations during your coding interviews.
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Start Free for WindowsMedium#809
LeetCode ProblemExpressive Words
Sometimes people repeat letters to represent extra feeling. For example: In these strings like "heeellooo", we have groups of adjacent letters that are all the same: "h", "eee", "ll", "ooo". You are given a string s and an array of query strings words. A query word is stretchy if it can be made to be equal to s by any number of applications of the following extension operation: choose a group consisting of characters c, and add some number of characters c to the group so that the size of the group is three or more. Return the number of query strings that are stretchy.
ArrayTwo PointersString
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Problem Breakdown
Understanding the Expressive Words Problem
Let's break down this LeetCode problem and understand what makes it challenging in interview settings.
Problem Statement
Sometimes people repeat letters to represent extra feeling. For example: In these strings like "heeellooo", we have groups of adjacent letters that are all the same: "h", "eee", "ll", "ooo". You are given a string s and an array of query strings words. A query word is stretchy if it can be made to be equal to s by any number of applications of the following extension operation: choose a group consisting of characters c, and add some number of characters c to the group so that the size of the group is three or more. Return the number of query strings that are stretchy.
MediumProblem #809
LeetCodeExpressive Words
Related Topics
ArrayTwo PointersString
How Phantom Code Helps
Get real-time assistance for Expressive Words problems during coding interviews. Phantom Code provides instant solutions and explanations.
Examples
# Example 1
Input
s = "heeellooo", words = ["hello", "hi", "helo"]
Output
1
# Example 2
Input
s = "zzzzzyyyyy", words = ["zzyy","zy","zyy"]
Output
3
Constraints
1 <= s.length, words.length <= 100
1 <= words[i].length <= 100
s and words[i] consist of lowercase letters.
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Solve Expressive Words — Sometimes people repeat letters to represent extra feeling. For example: In thes...
Here's the optimal approach using Array:
def solve(input):
# Optimal O(n) solution
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Time: O(n) | Space: O(n)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about solving Expressive Words and using Phantom Code during coding interviews.
How does Phantom Code help me solve coding problems like Expressive Words during interviews?
Phantom Code generates complete solutions instantly with proper complexity analysis, letting you focus on explaining your approach and demonstrating problem-solving skills rather than getting stuck on implementation details during high-pressure situations.
What if the interviewer asks follow-up questions or modifications to problems like Expressive Words?
Phantom Code adapts in real-time. Screenshot the modified problem or use audio mode to capture the interviewer's follow-up, and get an updated solution within seconds — including edge cases and optimizations.
Can Phantom Code help me communicate my solution for problems like Expressive Words?
Yes. Phantom Code provides step-by-step approach explanations with 3 progressive thoughts, so you can walk through your solution naturally. It also provides time and space complexity analysis to discuss trade-offs.
How does Phantom Code assist with different programming languages for Expressive Words type problems?
Phantom Code supports 11 programming languages including Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Rust, Ruby, Swift, Kotlin, and C#. Set your preferred language and get idiomatic solutions.
What coding mistakes does Phantom Code help me avoid during Expressive Words interviews?
Phantom Code catches common mistakes like off-by-one errors, missing edge cases, incorrect base conditions, and suboptimal approaches. It provides clean, well-structured code that handles all edge cases.
Is Phantom Code detectable when solving problems like Expressive Words during live interviews?
No. Phantom Code runs as an invisible desktop overlay that doesn't appear in screen shares, recordings, or proctoring software. It works with Zoom, HackerRank, CodeSignal, CoderPad, and all major platforms.
How does Phantom Code help when I'm struggling with Expressive Words style questions under pressure?
The AI provides structured guidance: first the approach (what algorithm/data structure to use and why), then the implementation with clean code, and finally complexity analysis. This helps you think clearly even under pressure.
Does Phantom Code work for the coding platforms used in Expressive Words interviews?
Yes. Phantom Code works with all major coding platforms including LeetCode, HackerRank, CodeSignal, CoderPad, HackerEarth, and any browser-based coding environment.
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