Method and apparatus for multi-pass speech recognition. An input device receives spoken input. A processor performs a first pass speech recognition technique on the spoken input and forms first pass results. The first pass results include a number of alternative speech expressions, each having an assigned score related to the certainty that the corresponding expression correctly matches the spoken input. The processor selectively performs a second pass speech recognition technique on the spoken input according to the first pass results. Preferably, the second pass attempts to correctly match the spoken input to only those expressions which were identified during the first pass. Otherwise, if one of the expressions identified by the first pass is assigned a score higher than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 95%), the second pass is not performed. Because the second pass is performed only when necessary, the invention recognizes speech with a faster average speed for a given accuracy in comparison to prior systems.